THE  ETHEL  CARR  PEACOCK 

MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 

Matris  amori  monumentum 


TRINITY  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 


DURHAM,  N.  C. 
1903 


Gift  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Dred  Peacock 


[ 

■ 

Digitized  by 

1 

the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 

1 

5 

https://archive.org/details/battlefieldsofre01rhoa 


r 


4 


THE 


OF 


THl  RE¥OLllTION. 

COMPEISING 

DESCRIPTIONa  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL 

BATTLES,  SIEGES,  AND  OTHER  EVENTS 

OF  THE 

WAE    OF  INDEPENDENCE: 

IKTEBSPEESED  WITH 

CHARACTERISTIC  ANECDOTES. 
BY  THOMAS  Y.  RHOADS. 

♦rj  2.  6  <i>  /  3 


^<  PHILADELPHIA: 

J.  W.  BRADLEY,  48  N.  FOITRTH  STREET. 
1  860. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1864,  by 
J.  W.  BRADLEY, 

In  the  Clerk*s  OflSce  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  the 
Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


phiiiAdelphia: 
peinteo  by  eik9  &  baibb^ 
607  sansou  stsbet. 


?  7  3,  3  3 
M  7  if 
P 


The  period  of  the  War  of  Independence  ia 
justly  considered  the  heroic  age  of  American 
History.  It  is  the  era  to  which  every  American 
patriot  looks  back  with  a  feeling  of  pride  and 

1*  (J) 

/  3 


fl  PREFACE. 

triumph.  It  was  then  that  the  national  character 
first  took  that  form  and  consistency  which  has 
ever  since  bound  the  Union  together  as  with 
bands  of  adamant.  Every  incident  of  that  heroic 
age  possesses  an  interest  for  both  old  and  young 
among  our  people,  which  attaches  to  no  other 
period  in  our  national  annals.  The  men,  and 
the  women  too,  of  the  Eevolution,  have  now  nearly 
all  passed  away ;  but  the  memory  of  their 
deeds  is  still  affectionately  cherished,  and  our 
children,  and  our  children's  children,  to  the  end 
of  time,  will  ever  recur  to  them  as  examples  of 
patriotism  and  public  virtue. 

To  aid  in  the  preservation  of  the  records  of 
this  glorious  time,  and  to  contribute  to  the  wide 
dissemination  of  these  bright  examples,  is  the 
object  of  this  volume.  Without  attempting  the 
regularity  and  chronological  sequence  of  history^ 
the  author  has  selected  some  of  the  mosi 
briUiant  and  striking  points  in  the  history  of  the 
Revolutionary  War  for  illustration ;  and  has  added 


PREFACE.  vii 

to  these  many  striking  and  characteristic  episodes, 
which  serve  to  exhibit  the  ^'  Spirit  of  Seventy- 
Six"  and  show  '-the  very  body  of  the  time,  its 
form  and  pressure." 

The  author  trusts  the  utility  of  such  an  attempt 
will  be  generally  recognised,  when  it  is 
recollected  how  much  the  welfare  of  a  nation 
is  promoted  by  the  preservation  of  a  true  national 
spirit,  and  how  greatly  the  ties  which  unite 
the  wide  spread  communities  of  the  Republic? 
are  strengthened  by  recalling  to  memory  the 
noble  deeds  of  our  common  ancestors,  the  founders 
of  the  glory  and  prosperity  of  our  common  country. 

In  embellishing  this  work,  the  publisher  has 
endeavored  to  impress  the  narratives  upon  the 
mind  of  the  reader,  by  inserting  such  engravings 
as  illustrated  the  most  important  events  of  the 
Revolutionary  War,  as  well  as  those  episodes 
which  characterize  the  spirit  of  the  age  in 
which  it  took  place.  The  use  of  such  embellish- 
ments   is    an    important  aid  to    the  memory. 


Viii  PREFACE. 

inasmuch  as  we  remember  much  longer  that 
which  we  have  seen  pictured,  than  that  which 
we^  have  merely  read,  or  had  related  or  described 
to  us  without  the  assistance  of  pictorial 
representations. 


PAGE. 

The  Sergeant  axd  the  Indians   13 

Burning  of  the  Gaspee   21 

.  The  Great  Tea  Riot                                   .  26 

The  First  Prater  in  Congress   ......  34 

Battle  of  Lexington  •    .    .   ♦    ,  40 

Fight  at  Concord  Bridge   48 

(ix) 


X  CONTENTS. 

Capture  of  Ticonderoga  .   .  6S 


Battle  of  Bunker's  Hill  68 

Attack  on  Quebec   86 

Attack  on  Sullivan's  Island  97 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  104 

Firmness  of  Washington  Ill 

Capture  of  General  Lee  116 

Capture  of  General  Prescott  119 

General  Prescott,  Whipped  142 

Battle  of  Trenton  146 

Battle  of  Princeton   154 

General  La  Fayette  164 

Battle  of  Brandywine   170 

Battle  op  Germantown   .  177 

Battle  of  Red  Bank  185 

Burgoyne's  Invasion — Battle  of  Bennington  .  188 
Heroic  Exploit  of  Peter  Francisco    ....  201 

Andrew  Jackson  206 

Siege  of  Yorktown — Surrender  of  Cornwallis  215 

George  Rogers  Clarke  222 

Death  of  Captain  Biddle  230 

pA--Tnn^isM  of  Mother  Bailey  237 


CONTEXTS. 

The  Dutchman  and  the  Rake  24^ 

Simon  Kenton  257 

The  Murder  or  Miss  M'Crea  268 

Massacre  at  Wyoming  273 

Treason  of  Arnold   •   .    .    .  280 

Patriotism  of  Elizabeth  Zane  291 

Stony  Point  296 

John  Paul  Jones  303 

Battle  of  King's  Mountain  308 

Burning  of  Colonel  Crawford  316 

Battle  of  tee  Cowpens  324 

Baron  Steuben   329 

Mrs.  Bozarth   g34 


STORIES 

OF  THE 

DEVOLUTION.  ■ 


CHE  SERGEANT  AND  THE  INDIAN;  . 

In  the  early  part  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  a  sergeant 
and  twelve  armed  men,  undertook  to  journey  through  the 
wilderness,  in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire.  Their  route 
was  remote  from  any  settlement,  and  they  were  under  the 
necessity  of  encamping  over  night  in  the  woods.  In  the 
early  part  of  our  struggles  for  Independence,  the  Indians 
were  numerous,  and  did  not  stand  idle  spectators  to  a  con- 
flict carried  on  with  so  much  zeal  and  eagerness  by  the 
whites.  Some  tribes  were  friendly  to  our  cause,  while 
many  on  our  borders  took  part  with  the  enemy,  and  were 
troublesome  in  their  savage  kind  of  warfare,  as  our  people 

2  (13) 


14  THE  SERGEANT  AND  THE  INDIANS. 

often  learnt  from  the  woful  experience  of  their  midnight 
depredations.  The  leader  of  the  above  mentioned  party 
was  well  acquainted  with  the  different  tribes  ;  and  from 
much  intercourse  with  them  previous  to  the  war  was  not 
ignorant  of  the  idiom, physiognomy,  and  dress  of  each,  and 
at  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  was  informed  for  which 
party  they  had  raised  the  battle  axe. 

Nothing  material  had  happened  during  the  first  day  of 
this  excursion ;  but  early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  second, 
they  discovered  from  an  eminence,  a  body  of  Indians  ad- 
vancing towards  them,  whose  numbers  exceeded  their  own. 
As  soon  as  the  Americans  were  perceived  by  their  red 
brethr^^n,  the  latter  made  friendly  signals,  and  the  parties 
approached  in  an  amicable  manner.  The  Indians  ap- 
peared to  be  much  pleased  to  meet  the  sergeant  and  his 
party,  whom  they  observed  they  considered  as  their  pro- 
tectors ;  said  they  belonged  to  a  tribe  who  took  the  hatchet 
in  the  cause  of  their  country  ;  and  were  determined  to  do 
all  in  their  power  to  injure  the  common  enemy.  They  shook 
hands  in  friendship,  and  it  was  '  How  d'ye  do,  pro  !  how 
d'ye  do,  pro  P  that  being  their  pronunciation  of  the  word 
brother.  When  they  had  conversed  with  each  ©ther  for 
some  time,  and  exchanged  mutual  good  wishes,  they  at 
length  separated  and  travelled  in  different  directions. 

After  proceeding  to  the  distance  of  one  or  more  huJas, 


THE  SERGEANT  AND  THE  INDIANS.  17 

the  sergeant  halted  the'  men,  addressed  them  in  the  fol- 
lowing words : 

'  My  brave  companions,  we  must  use  the  utmost  caution, 
or  this  night  may  be  our  last.  Should  we  not  make  some 
extraordinary  exertion  to  defend  ourselves,  to-morrow's 
sun  may  find  us  sleeping,  never  to  wake.  You  are  surpri- 
sed, comrades,  at  my  words,  and  your  anxiety  will  not  be 
lessened,  when  I  inform  you,  that  we  have  just  passed  our 
inveterate  foe,  who,  under  the  mask  of  pretended  friend- 
ship you  have  witnessed,  would  lull  us  into  fancied  security, 
and,  by  such  means,  in  the  unguarded  moments  of  our  mid- 
night slumber,  without  resistance,  seal  our  fate  !" 

The  men,  with  astonishment,  listened  to  this  short  ha- 
rangue, and  their  surprise  was  greater,  as  not  one  of  them 
had  entertained  the  suspicion,  but  that  they  had  just  encoun- 
tered friends.  They  all  immediately  resolved  to  enter  into 
some  scheme  for  their  mutual  preservation,  and  the  destruc- 
tion of  their  enemies,  Bv  the  proposal  of  their  leader,  the 
following  plan  was  adopted: 

The  spot  selected  for  their  night's  encampment,  was 
near  a  stream  of  water  which  served  to  cover  their  rear. 
They  felled  a  large  tree,  before  which,  on  the  approach 
of  night,  a  brilliant  fire  was  lighted.  Each  individual  cut 
a  log  of  wood,  about  the  size  of  his  body,  rolled  it  nicely 
into  his  blanket,  placed  his  hat  upon  the  extremity,  and 

2* 


18  THE  SERGEANT  AND  THE  INDIANS, 

laid  it  before  the  fire,  that  the  enemy  might  be  deceived, 
and  mistake  it  for  a  m.an. 

After  the  number  equal  to  the  sergeant's  party  wer 
fitted  out,  and  so  artfully  arranged  as  to  appear  like  so 
many  men,  the  soldiers,  with  loaded  muskets,  placed  them- 
selves behind  the  fallen  tree,  by  which  time  the  shades  of 
evening  began  to  close  around.  The  fire  was  supplied 
with  fuel  and  kept  burning  brilliantly  till  late  in  the  night, 
*  when  it  wat,  sufi'ered  to  decline.  The  critical  time  was 
now  approaching  when  an  attack  might  be  expected  from 
the  Indians  ;  but  the  sergeant's  men  rested  in  their  place 
of  concealment  with  great  anxiety  till  near  midnight,  not 
perceiving  any  movement  of  the  foe. 

At  length  a  tall  Indian  was  discovered  through  the  glim- 
mering of  the  fire,  (which  was  now  getting  low,)  cautiously 
moving  towards  them,  making  no  noise,  and  apparently 
using  every  means  in  his  power  to  conceal  himself  from 
any  one  about  the  camp.  For  a  time,  his  actions  showed 
him  to  be  suspicious  that  a  guard  might  be  stationed  to  watch 
any  unusual  appearance,  and  give  the  alarm  in  case  of 
danger ;  but  all  appearing  quiet,  he  ventured  forward 
more  boldly,  and  rested  upon  his  toes,  and  was  distinctly 
seen  to  move  his  finger  as  he  numbered  each  log  of  wood, 
or  what  he  considered  human  beings  quietly  enjoying  r  epose. 
To  satisfy  himself  mo^Q  ^uUy  as  to  the  number,  he  counted 


THE  SERGEANT  AND  THE  INDIANS. 


19 


them  over  the  second  time,  and  cautiously  retired.  He  was 
succeeded  by  a  second  Indian,  who  went  through  the  same 
movements,  and  retired  in  the  same  manner. 

Soon  after,  the  whole  party,  sixteen  in  number,  were 
discovered,  cautiously  advancing,  and  eagerly  eyeing  their 
supposed  victims.  The  feelings  of  the  Sergeant's  men  can 
better  be  imagined  than  described,  when  they  saw  the 
base  and  perfidious  purpose  of  their  enemies,  who  were  now 
so  near,  that  the  former  could  scarcely  be  restrained  from 
firing  upon  them.  The  plan,  however,  of  the  Sergeant 
was  to  have  his  men  remain  silent,  in  their  places  of  con- 
cealment, till  the  guns  of  the  foe  were  discharged,  so  that 
their  own  fire  might  be  more  effectual  and  opposition  less 
formidable. 

Their  suspense  was  not  of  long  duration.  The  Indians 
in  a  body,  cautiously  approached  till  within  a  short  dis- 
tance ;  they  then  halted,  took  deliberate  aim,  discharged 
their  pieces  upon  inanimate  logs,  gave  the  dreadful  war- 
whoop,  and  instantly  rushed  forward,  with  tomahawk  and 
scalping-knife  in  hand,  to  despatch  the  living,  and  obtain 
the  scalps  of  the  dead.  As  soon  as  they  were  collected 
in  close  order,  more  efiectually  to  execute  this  horrid  inten- 
tion, the  party  of  the  Sergeant,  with  unerring  aim,  dis- 
charged their  muskets  upon  the  savages ;  not  one  of 
whom  escaped  destruction. 


20  THE  SERGEANT  AND  THE  INDIANS. 

Thus  were  the  perfidious  intentions  of  the  Indians, 
(who,  after  seeming  friendship,  violated  all  their  pacific 
professions,)  punished.  Such  treachery  as  was  exhibited 
in  this  instance,  is  a  regular  part  of  the  Indian  system  ot 
warfare.  They  value  cunning  in  a  warrior,  as  fully  equa 
in  merit,  to  personal  bravery. 


,        BURNING  OF  THE  GASPEE. 

Before  the  actual  commencement  of  hostilities  between 
the  American  colonists  and  the  British,  many  incidents 
transpired  which  served  to  show  a  spirit  of  patriotic  re- 
sistance to  oppression  among  the  people.  One  of  the  most 
remarkable  of  these  wa5  the  burning  of  the  Gaspee,  a 
British  revenue  cutter. 

Lieutenant  Doddington,  who  commanded  that  vessel, 
had  become  very  obnoxious  to  the  inhabitants  of  Rhode 
Island,  by  his  extraordinary  zeal  in  the  execution  of  the 
revenue  laws.  On  the  9th  of  June,  the  Providence  packet 

(21) 


22 


BURNING  OF  THE  GASPEE. 


was  sailing  into  the  harbor  of  Newport  and  Lieutenant 
Poddington  ordered  the  captain  to  lower  his  colors.  This 
the  captain  of  the  packet  deemed  repugnant  to  his  patriotic 
feelings,  and  the  Gaspee  fired  at  the  packet  to  bring  her 
to ;  the  American,  however,  still  persisted  in  holding  on 
her  course,  and  by  keeping  in  shoal  water,  dexterously 
contrived  to  run  the  schooner  aground  in  the  chase.  A3 
the  tide  was  upon  the  ebb,  the  Gaspee  was  set  fast  for 
the  night,  and  afforded  a  tempting  opportunity  for  retalia- 
tion ;  and  a  number  of  fishermen,  aided  and  encouraged 
by  some  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  of  Providence, 
being  determined  to  rid  themselves  of  so  uncivil  an  in- 
spector, in  the  middle  of  the  night  manned  several  boats, 
and  boarded  the  Gaspee..  The  Lieutenant  was  wounded 
in  the  affray ;  but  with  every  thing  belonging  to  him,  he 
was  carefully  conveyed  on  shore,  as  were  all  his  crew. 
The  vessel,  with  her  stores,  was  then  burnt ;  and  the  party 
returned  unmolested  to  their  homes.  When  the  gover- 
nor became  acquainted  with  this  event,  he  offered  a  re- 
ward of  five  hundred  pounds  for  the  discovery  of  the  of- 
fenders and  the  royal  pardon  to  those  who  would  confess 
their  guilt.  Commissioners  were  appointed  also  to  inves- 
tigate the  offence,  and  bring  the  perpetrators  to  justice 
but,  after  remaining  some  time  in  session,  they  reported 
that  they  could  obtain  no  evidence,  and  thus  the  affair  ter- 


BURNING  OF  THE  GASPEE. 


25 


minated  a  circumstance  which  forcibly  illustrates  the  in- 
violable brotherhood  which  then  united  the  people  against 
the  government.  The  same  secrecy  and  fidelity  was  shown 
by  the  people,  in  the  measures  which  they  took  for  pro- 
viding and  concealing  ammunition  and  arms,  as  well  as  in 
baffling  the  attempts  of  the  government  to  discover  the 
persons  concerned  in  the  great  tea  riot. 


THE  GREAT  TEA  RIOT. 

The  great  question  on  which  the  Revolution  turned  was 
taxation  without  representation  in  parliament.  This  the 
colonists  were  determined  to  resist.  The  Stamp  Act  riots 
showed  the  spirit  of  the  people,  and  occasioned  the  with- 
drawal of  that  obnoxious  measure.  The  right  to  tax  how- 
ever was  still  maintained  by  the  British  government ;  and 
a  tax  was  laid  on  tea.  The  colonists  resisted  hj  refusing 
to  use  tea. 
(20) 


THE  TEA  RIOT.  29 

The  crisis  now  drew  near  when  the  Americans  were  to 
decide  whether  they  w^ould  submit,  to  be  taxed  by  the 
British  Parliament,  or  practically  support  their  own  prin- 
ciples, and  brave  the  most  perilous  consequences  of  their 
inflexibility.  One  common  sentiment  seemed  to  be  awa- 
kened throughout  the  whole  continent  by  the  tidings  of 
the  ministerial  plan,  which  was  universally  reprobated  aa 
an  attempt  at  once  injurious  and  insulting,  to  bribe  the 
Americans  to  surrender  their  rights  and  bend  their  own 
necks  to  the  arbitrary  power.  A  violent  ferment  was  every 
where  excited :  the  corresponding  committees  and  politi- 
cal clubs  exerted  their  utmost  activity  to  rouse  and  unite 
the  people ;  and  as  it  was  generally  declared  that  as  every 
citizen  owed  to  his  country  the  duty  at  least  of  refraining 
from  being  accessory  to  her  subjugation,  every  man  who 
should  countenance  the  present  dangerous  measure  of  the 
British  government  should  be  deemed  an  enemy  of  Ame- 
rica. Some  of  the  popular  leaders  expressed  doubts  of 
the  prudence  of  actual  resistance  to  a  measure  of  so  little 
intrinsic  importance  ;  and  preferably  urged  that  the  peo- 
ple should  be  restrained  from  violence  till  the  occurrence 
of  an  opportunity  of  rousing  and  directing  their  force 
against  some  invasion  of  American  liberty  more  momen- 
tous and  alarming.  But  to  this  suggestion  it  was  reason- 
ably and  successfully  replied,  that  such  an  opportunity 

3* 


so 


THE  TEA  RIOT. 


might  never  occur  again ;  that  Britain,  warned  by  the 
past,  would  avoid  sudden  and  startling  innovations ;  that  her 
policy  would  be, — by  multiplying  posts  and  officers,  and 
either  bestowing  them  on  her  partisans,  or  employing 
them  to  corrupt  her  antagonists, — to  increase  her  force 
proportionally  faster  than  the  force  of  the  patriotic  party 
would  increase  by  the  growth  of  the  American  population ; 
that  she  had  latterly  sent  out  as  her  functionaries  a  num- 
ber of  young  men  who,  marrying  into  provincial  families 
of  influence  and  consideration,  had  weakened  the  force 
of  American  opposition ;  and  that  now  was  the  time  to 
profit  by  the  general  irritation  of  the  people  and  the 
blunders  which  Britian  had  commenced,  in  order  to  preci- 
pitate a  collision  which  sooner  or  later  was  inevitable,  and 
to  prevent  a  seeming  accommodation  of  the  quarrel  which 
would  only  expose  the  interests  of  America  to  additional 
disadvantages.  The  East  India  Company,  confident  of 
finding  a  market  for  their  tea,  reduced  as  it  was  now  in 
price,  freighted  several  ships  to  America  with  this  com- 
modity, and  appointed  consignees  to  recive  and  dispose 
of  it.  Some  cargoes  were  sent  to  New  York  ;  some  to 
Boston.  The  inhabitants  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia 
prevailed  with  the  consignees  to  disclaim  their  functions, 
and  forced  the  ships  to  return  with  their  cargoes  to  Lon- 
don. The  inhabitants  of  Charleston  unladed  the  tea,  and 
deposited  it  in  public  cellars  where  it  was  guarded  from 


THE  TEA  RIOT.    ^  BX 

use  and  finally  perished..  At  Boston  tlie  consignees, 
Tvho  were  the  near  kinsmen  of  Governor  Hutchison,  at  first 
refused  to  resign  their  appointments ;  and  the  vessels 
containing  the  tea  lay  in  the  harbor  watched  by  a  strong 
guard  of  the  citizens,  who  from  a  numerous  town-meeting, 
despatched  the  most  peremptory  commands  to  the  ship- 
masters not  to  land  their  obnoxious  cargoes.  After  much 
delay,  the  consignees,  alarmed  by  the  increasing  violence 
of  the  people,  solicited  leave  from  the  governor  to  resign, 
but  were  encouraged  by  him  to  persist.  They  proposed 
then  to  the  people  that  the  tea  should  be  landed,  and  pre- 
served in  some  public  store  or  magazine ;  but  this  com- 
promise was  indignantly  rejected.  At  length  the  popu- 
lar rage  could  be  contamed  no  longer.  From  the  symp- 
toms of  its  dangerous  fervour,  the  consignees  fled  in  dis- 
may to  the  castle ;  while  an  assemblage  of  men  dressed 
and  painted  like  Mohawk  Indians,  boarded  the  vessels 
and  threw  the  tea  into  the  ocean.  The  conduct  of  the 
East  India  company  in  assisting  the  policy  of  the  British 
government,  strongly  excited  the  displeasure  of  the 
Americans, 


THE  FIRST  PEAYER  IN  CONGRESS. 

The  subjoined  extract  of  a  characteristic  letter  from 
John  Adams,  describing  a  scene  in  the  first  Congress  in 
Philadelphia,  in  1774,  shows  on  what  Power  the  mighty 
men  of  old  rested  their  cause.  Mr.  Adams  thus  wrote  to  a 
friend  at  the  time  : 

"  When  Congress  met,  Mr.  Cushing  made  a  motion 
that  it  should  be  opened  with  prayer.  It  was  opposed  by 
Mr.  Jay,  of  New  York,  and  Mr.  Rutledge,  of  South  Ca- 
rolina, because  we  were  so  divided  in  religious  sentiment 
some  Episcopalians,  some  Quakers,  some  Anabaptists, 
(32) 


THE  FIRST  PRAYER  IN  CONGRESS.  35 

some  Presbyteriaas,  and  some  Congregationalists,  that 
we  could  not  join  in  the  same  act  of  worship.  Mr.  Sam- 
uel Adams  rose  and  said  that  he  was  no  bigot,  and  could 
bear  a  prayer  from  any  good  man  of  piety  and  virtue  who 
was  at  the  same  time  a  friend  to  his  country.  He  was 
stranger  in  Philadelphia,  but  had  heard  that  Mr.  Duche 
(Dushay  they  pronounced  it)  deserved  that  character,  and 
therefore  he  moved  that  Mr.  Duche,  an  Episcopal  clergy- 
man, might  be  desired  to  read  prayers  to  the  Congress  to- 
morrow morning.  This  motion  was  seconded,  and  passed 
in  the  affirmative.  Mr.  Randolph,  our  President,  waited 
on  Mr.  Duche,  and  received  for  answer  that  if  his  health 
would  permit  he  certainly  would.  Accordingly,  next 
morning  he  appeared  with  his  clerk,  in  his  pontificals, 
and  read  several  prayers  in  the  established  form,  and  he 
then  read  the  collect  for  the  seventh  day  of  September, 
which  was  the  thirty-fifth  psalm.  You  must  remember, 
this  was  the  next  morning  after  we  had  heard  the  rumour 
of  the  horrible  cannonade  of  Boston.  It  seems  as  if  Hea- 
ven had  ordained  that  Psalm  to  be  read  on  that  morning. 

"  After  this,  Mr.  Duche,  unexpectedly  to  every-body, 
struck  out  into  an  extemporary  prayer,  which  filled  the 
bosom  of  every  man  present.  I  must  confess  I  never 
heard  a  better  prayer  pronounced.  Episcopalian  as  he  is, 
Dr.  Cooper  himself  never  prayed  with  such  fevour,  such 


86 


THE  FIRST  PRATER  IN  CONGRESS. 


ardour,  such  correctness  and  pathos,  and  in  language  so 
elegant  and  sublime,  for  America,  for  Congress,  for  the 
province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  especially  the  town 
of  Boston.  It  has  had  an  excellent  effect  upon  every  body 
here.  I  must  beg  you  to  read  that  Psalm.  If  there  ia 
any  faith  in  the  sortes  Yirgilianse,  or  sortes  Homericae, 
or  especially  the  sortes  Biblicoe,  it  would  be  thought  pro- 
vidential."        ^  . 

Here  was  a  scene  worthy  of  the  painter's  art.  It  was 
in  Carpenter's  Hall,  Carpenter's  Court,  between  Third 
and  Fourth  streets,  Philadelphia,  a  building  which  still 
survives  in  its  original  condition,  though  now  converted 
into  an  auction  mart,  where  the  forty-four  individuals 
met  to  whom  this  service  was  read. 

Washington  was  kneeling  there,  and  Henry,  and  Ran- 
dolph, and  Rutledge,  and  Lee,  and  Jay ;  and  by  their 
side  there  stood,  bowed  down  in  deference,  the  Puritan 
Patriots  of  New  England,  who  at  that  moment  had  reason 
to  believe  that  an  armed  soldiery  was  wasting  their  hum- 
ble households.  It  was  believed  that  Boston  had  been  bom- 
barded and  destroyed.  They  prayed  fervently  for  "  Ame- 
rica, for  the  Congress,  for  the  province  of  Massachusetts 
Bay,  and  especially  for  the  town  of  Boston:"  and  who 
can  realize  the  emotions  with  which  they  turned  implor- 
ingly to  heaven  for  divine  interposition  and  aid  ?  "  It  was 
enough,"  says  Mr.  Adams,"  to  melt  a  heart  of  stone.  I 


THE  FIRST  PRAYER  IN  CONGRESS.  '  39 

saw  the  tears  gush  into  the  eyes  of  the  old,  gra  a,  pacific 
Quakers  of  Philadelphia."  The  practice  of  opening  the 
daily  sessions  of  Congress  with  prayer,  has  continued  to 
the  present  time. 


BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON. 

A  CONSIDERABLE  quantity  of  military  stores  liavin^^ 
been  deposited  at  Concord,  eighteen  miles  from  Boston, 
General  Gage,  who  commanded  the  British  troops  in  that 
city,  determined  to  destroy  them.  In  pursuance  of  his 
design,  he,  on  the  evening  of  the  18th  of  April,  177f , 
despatched  a  party  of  eight  hundred^grenadiers  andligl  fc 
infantry  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith,  who  crossed 
Charles  river  from  the  foot  of  Boston  Common  to  Phips  s 
farm  in  Cambridge,  about  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  aii 
commenced  a  quick  but  silent  march  for  Concord.  Thou^  b 
they  attempted  to  preserve  secresy,  yet  the  friends  t-f 
(40) 


.  THE  BATTLE  OE  LEXINGTON ,  41 

liberty  -were  too  vigilant  not  to  notice  ttieir  departure, 
and  many  messengers  were  immediately  sent  to  alarm  the 
country.  Of  these,  Colonel  Revere,  Mr.  Dawes,  and  three 
or  four  others  of  the  most  active,  fell  into  the  hands  of  a 
party  of  British  officers,  who  kept  them  as  pri-soners  for  a 
time,  but,  becoming  alarmed  at  the  firing  of  a  party  of 
militia  at  drill  near  Lexington  meeting-house,  they  took 
the  horses  from  their  captives  and  rode  off.  The  follow- 
ing account  of  the  battle  is  given  by  one  of  the  most  cele- 
brated orators  of  New  England. 

"  The  Committee  of  Safety  sat  the  preceding  day 
at  West  Cambridge  ;  and  three  of  its  respected  members, 
Gerry,  Lee,  and  Orne,  had  retired  to  sleep,  in  the  public 
house,  where  the  session  of  the  committee  was  held.  So 
difficult  was  it,  notwithstanding  all  that  had  passed,  to  re- 
alize that  a  state  of  things  could  exist,  between  Englan  I 
and  America,  in  which  American  citizens  should  be  liable 
to  be  torn  from  their  beds  by  an  armed  force  at  midnight, 
that  the  members  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  though 
forewarned  of  the  approach  of  the  British  troops,  did  not 
even  think  it  necessary  to  retire  from  their  lodgings.  On 
the  contrary,  they  rose  from  their  beds  and  went  to  their 
windows  to  gaze  on  the  unwonted  sight,  the  midnight 
march  of  the  armies  through  the  peaceful  hamlets  of  New 
England.  Half  the  column  had  already  passed,  when  a 
flank  guard  was  promptly  detached  to  search  the  piLblic 

4* 


42  THE  BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON. 


house,  no  doubt  in  the  design  of  arresting  the  members 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  who  might  be  there.  It  was 
only  at  this  last  critical  moment,  that  Mr.  Gerry  and  his 
friends  bethought  themselves  of  flight,  and  without  time 
even  to  clothe  themselves,  escaped  naked  into  the  fields. 

"By  this  time.  Colonel  Smith,  who  commanded  the  ex- 
pedition, appears  to  have  been  alarmed  at  the  indications 
of  a  general  rising  throughout  the  country.  The  light 
infantry  companies  were  now  detached  and  placed  under 
the  command  of  Major  Pitcairn,  for  the  purpose  of  hast- 
ening forward,  to  secure  the  bridges  at  Concord ;  and  thus 
cut  off  the  communication  between  this  place,  and  the 
towns  north  and  west  of  it.  Before  these  companies  could 
reach  Lexington,  the  officers  already  mentioned,  who  had 
arrested  Colonel  Revere,  joined  their  advancing  country- 
men, and  reported  that  five  hundred  men  were  drawn  up 
in  Lexington,  to  resist  the  king's  troops.  On  receiving 
this  exaggerated  account,  the  British  light  infantry  was 
halted,  to  give  time  for  the  grenadiers  to  come  up,  that 
the  whole  together  might  move  forward  to  the  work  of 
death. 

"  The  company  assembled  on  Lexington  Green,  which 
the  British  officers,  in  their  report,  had  swelled  to  five 
hundred,  consisted  of  sixty  or  seventy  of  the  militia  of  the 
place.  Information  had  been  received  about  nightfall, 
both  by  private  means  and  by  communications  from  the 


THE  BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON.  45- 

Committee  of  Safety,  that  a  strong  party  of  officers  had 
heen  seen  on  the  road,  directing  their  course  toward  Lex- 
ington. In  consequence  of  this  intelligence,  a  body  of 
about  thirty  of  the  militia,  well  armed,  assembled  early 
in  the  evening ;  a  guard  of  eight  men  under  Colonel  Wil- 
liam Munroe,  then  a  sergeant  in  the  company,  was  sta- 
tioned at  the  house  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark ;  and  tjiree  men 
were  sent  off  to  give  the  alarm  at  Concord.  These  three 
men  were,  however,  stopped  on  their  way,  as  has  been 
mentioned,  by  the  British  officers,  who  had  already  passed 
onward.  One  of  their  number,  Elijah  Sanderson,  has 
lately  died  at  Salem  at  an  advanced  age.  A  little  after 
midnight,  Messrs.  Revere  and  Dawes  arrived  with  the 
certain  information  that  a  very  large  body  of  the  royal 
troops  was  in  motion.  The  alarm  was  now  generally 
given  to  the  inhabitants  of  Lexington,  messengers  were 
sent  down  the  road  to  ascertain  the  movements  of  the 
troops,  and  the  militia  company  under  Captain  John 
Parker,  appeared  on  the  green  to  the  number  of  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty.  The  roll  was  duly  called  at  this  perilous 
midnight  muster,  and  soma  answered  to  their  names  for 
the  last  time  on  earth.  The  company  was  now  ordered 
to  load  with  powder  and  ball,  and  awaited  in  anxious  ex- 
pectation the  return  of  those  who  had  been  sent  to  recon- 
noitre the  enemy.  One  of  them,  in  consequence  of  some 
misinformation,  returned  and  reported  that  there  was  no 


46 


THE  BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON. 


appearance  of  troops  on  the  road  from  Boston.  Undcf 
this  harassing  uncertainty  and  contradiction,  the  militia 
were  dismissed  to  await  the  return  of  the  other  expresses, 
and  with  orders  to  be  in  readiness  at  the  beat  of  the  drum. 
One  of  these  messengers  was  made  prisoner  by  the  Bri- 
tish, whose  march  was  so  cautious,  that  they  remained 
undiscovered  until  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  Lexington 
meeting-house,  and  time  was  scarce  left  for  the  last  mes- 
senger to  return  with  the  tidings  of  their  approach. 

The  new  alarm  was  now  given ;  the  bell  rings,  alarm- 
guns  are  fired,  the  drum  beats  to  arms.  Some  of  the 
militia  had  gone  home,  when  dismissed ;  but  the  greater 
part  were  in  the  neighboring  houses,  and  instantly  obeyed 
the  summons.  Sixty  or  seventy  appeared  on  the  green 
and  were  drawn  up  in  double  ranks.  At  this  moment  the 
British  column  of  eight  hundred  gleaming  bayonets  ap- 
pears, headed  by  their  mounted  commanders,  beating  a 
charge.  To  engage  them  with  a  handful  of  militia  of 
course  was  madness, — to  fly  at  the  sight  of  them  they  dis 
dained.  The  British  troops  rush  furiously  on  ;  their  com- 
manders, with  mingled  threats  and  execrations,  bid  the 
Americans  lay  down  their  arms  and  disperse,  and  their 
own  troops  to  fire.  A  moment's  delay,  as  of  compunc 
tion,  follows.  The  order  with  vehement  imprecations  is 
repeated,  and  they  fire.  No  one  falls,  and  the  band  of 
Belf-devoted  heroes,  most  of  whom  never  saw  such  a  body 


THE  BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON. 


47 


of  troops  before,  stand  firm  in  the  front  of  an  army,  out- 
numbering  them  ten  to  one.  Another  volley  succeeds  ; 
the  killed  and  wounded  drop,  and  it  was  not  until  they 
had  returned  the  fire  of  the  overwhelming  >force  that  the 
militia  were  driven  from  the  field.  A  scattered  fire 
now  succeeded  on  both  sides,  while  the  Americans  re- 
mained in  sight ;  and  the  British  troops  were  then  drawn 
up  on  the  green  to  fire  a  volley  and  give  a  shout  in  honor 
of  the  victory. 


FIGHT  AT  CONCORD  BRIDGE. 

Elated  with  its  success  at  Lexington,  the  British  army 
took  up  its  march  toward  Concord.  The  intelligence  of 
the  projected  expedition  had  been  communicated  to  this 
town  by  Dr.  Samuel  Prescott ;  and  from  Concord  had 
travelled  on  in  every  direction.  The  interval  was  employed 
in  removing  a  portion  of  the  public  stores  to  the  neigh- 
boring towns,  while  the  aged  and  infirm,  the  women  and 
children,  sought  refuge  in  the  neighboring  woods. 

About  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  glittering  arras 
of  the  British  columns  were  seen  advancing  on  the  Lin- 
(48) 


THE  FIGHT  AT  CONCORD  BKTDQE. 


49 


coin  road.  A  body  of  militia,  from  one  hundred  and  fifty 
to  two  hundred  men,  who  had  taken  post  for  observation 
on  the  heights  above  the  entrance  to  the  town,  retire  at 
the  approach  of  the  army  of  the  enemy,  first  to  the  hill  a 
little  farther  north,  and  then  beyond  the  bridge.  The 
British  troops  press  forward  into  the  town,  and  are  drawn 
up  in  front  of  the  court-house.  Parties  are  then  ordered 
out  to  the  various  spots  where  the  public  stores  and  arms 
were  supposed  to  be  deposited.  Much  had  been  removed 
to  places  of  safety,  and  something  was  saved  by  the  prompt 
and  innocent  artifices  of  individuals.  The  destruction  of 
property  and  arms  was  hasty  and  incomplete,  and  consid- 
ered as  the  object  of  an  enterprise  of  such  fatal  consequences 
it  stands  in  shocking  contrast  with  the  waste  of  blood  by 
which  it  was  efi'ected. 

It  was  the  first  care  of  the  British  commander  to  cut 
off  the  approach  of  the  Americans  from  the  neighboring 
towns,  by  destroying  or  occupying  the  bridges.  A  party 
was  immediately  sent  to  the  south  bridge  and  tore  it  up. 
A  force  of  six  companies,  under  Captains  Parsons  and 
Lowrie  were  left  to  guard  it,  and  three  under  Captain 
Parsons  proceeded  to  Colonel  Barrett's  house,  in  search 
of  provincial  stores. 

While  they  were  engaged  on  that  errand,  the  militia  of 
Concord,  joined  by  their  noble  brethren  from  the  neigh- 
boring towns,  gathered  on  the  hill  opposite  the  north 


60  THE  FIGHT  AT  CONCORD  BRIDGE. 

bridge,  under  th-e  command  of  Colonel  Robinson  and 
Major  Buttrick.  The  British  companies  at  the  bridge 
were  now  apparently  bewildered  with  the  perils  of  their 
situation,  and  began  to  tear  up  the  planks  of  the  bridge ; 
not  remembering  that  this  would  expose  their  own  party 
then  at  Colonel  Barrett's,  to  certain  and  entire  destruc- 
tion. The  Americans,  on  the  other  hand,  resolved  to  keep 
open  the  communication  with  the  town,  and  perceiving 
the  attempt  which  was  made  to  destroy  the  bridge,  were 
immediately  put  in  motion,  with  orders  not  to  give  the 
first  fire.  They  drew  near  to  the  bridge,  the  Acton  com- 
pany in  front,  led  on  by  the  gallant  Davis.  Three  alarm 
guns  were  fired  into  the  water,  by  the  British,  without 
arresting  the  march  of  the  citizens.  The  signal  for  a 
general  discharge  is  then  made ;  a  British  soldier  steps 
from  the  ranks,  and  fires  at  Major  Buttrick.  The  ball 
passed  between  his  arm  and  his  side,  and  slightly  wounded 
Mr.  Luther  Blanchard,  who  stood  near  him.  A  volley 
instantly  followed,  and  Captain  Davis  was  shot  through 
the  heart,  gallantly  marching  at  the  head  of  the  Acton 
militia  against  the  choice  troops  of  the  British  line.  A 
private  of  his  company,  Mr.  Hosmer,  of  Acton,  also  fell 
at  his  side. 

A  general  action  now  ensued,  which  terminated  in  the 
retreat  of  the  British  party,  after  .the  loss  of  several  killed 
and  wounded,  toward  the  centre  of  the  town,  followed  by 


THE  FIGHT  AT  COXCORD  BRIDGE.  '  53 

the  brave  band  who  had  driven  them  from  their  post.  The 
advance  party  of  British  at  Colonel  Barrett's  was  thua 
left  to  its  fate ;  and  nothing  would  have  been  more  easj' 
than  to  effect  its  entire  destruction.  But  the  idea  of  & 
declared  war  had  yet  scarcely  forced  itself,  with  all  its 
consequences,  into  the  minds  of  our  countrymen  ;  and 
these  advanced  companies  were  allowed  to  return  unmo- 
lested to  the  main  band. 

It  was  now  twelve  hours  since  the  first  alarm  had  been 
given,  the  evening  before,  of  the  meditated  expedition. 
The.  swift  watches  of  that  eventful  night,  had  scattered 
the  tidings  far  and  wide ;  and  widely  as  they  spread,  the 
people  rose  in  their  strength.  The  genius  of  America,  on 
this  the  morning  of  her  emancipation,  had  sounded  her 
horn  over  the  plains  and  upon  the  mountains ;  and  the 
indignant  yeomanry  of  the  land,  armed  with  the  weapons 
which  had  done  service  in  their  fathers'  hands,  poured  to 
the  spot  where  this  new  and  strange  tragedy  was  acting. 
The  old  New  England  drums,  that  had  beat  at  Louisburg, 
at  Quebec,  at  Martinique,  at  the  Havanna,  were  now 
beating  on  all  the  roads  to  Concord.  There  were  officers 
in  the  British  line  that  knew  the  sound ;  they  had  heard 
it,  in  the  deadly  breach,  beneath  the  black,  deep-throated 
engines  of  the  French  and  Spanish  castles,  and  they  knew 
what  followed,  where  that  sound  went  before. 

With  the  British  it  was  a  question  no  longer  of  pro- 
5* 


54  THE  FIGHT  AT  CONCORD  BRIDGE. 

tracted  contest,  nor  even  of  halting  long  enough  to  rest 
their  exhausted  troops,  after  a  weary  night's  march,  and 
all  the  labor,  confusion,  and  distress  of  the  day's  efforts. 
The  dead  were  hastily  buried  in  the  public  square ;  their 
wounded  placed  in  the  vehicles  which  the  town  afforded ; 
and  a  flight  commenced,  to  which  the  annals  of  warfare 
will  hardly  afford  a  parallel.  On  all  the  neighboring  hills 
were  multitudes  from  the  surrounding  country,  of  the  un- 
armed and  infirm,  of  women  and  of  children,  who  had  fled 
from  the  terrors  and  perils  of  the  plunder  and  conflagra- 
tion of  their  own  homes ;  or  were  collected  with  fearful 
curiosity,  to  mark  the  progress  of  this  storm  of  war. 
The  panic  fears  of  a  calamitous  flight,  on  the  part  of  the 
British,  transformed  this  inoffensive,  timid  throng  into  a 
threatening  array  of  armed  men ;  and  there  was  too  much 
reason  for  the  misconception.  Every  height  of  ground 
within  reach  of  the  line  of  march,  was  covered  with  the 
indignant  avengers  of  their  slaughtered  brethren.  The 
British  light  companies  were  sent  out  to  great  distances 
as  flanking  parties ;  but  who  was  to  flank  the  flankers  ? 
Every  patch  of  trees,  every  rock,  every  stream  of  water, 
every  building,  every  stone  wall,  was  lined,  (I  use  the. 
words  of  a  British  officer  in  the  battle,)  with  an  uninter- 
mitted  fire.  Every  cross  road  opened  a  new  avenue  to 
the  assailants.  Through  one  of  these  the  gallant  Brooks 
led  up  the  minute-men  of  Reading.    At  another  defile, 


THE  FIGHT  AT  COXCOHD  BKIDaB. 


55 


COLONEL  BROOKS. 


they  were  encountered  by  the  Lexington  militia  under 
Captain  Parker,  who,  undismayed  at  the  loss  of  more  than 
a  tenth  of  their  number  in  killed  and  wounded  in  the 
morning,  had  returned  to  the  conflict. 

At  first  the  contest  was  kept  up  by  the  British  with  all 
the  skill  and  valor  of  veteran  troops.  To  a  military  eye 
it  was  not  an  unequal  contest.  The  commander  was  not, 
or  ought  not  to  have  been  taken  by  surprise.  Eight  hun- 
dred picked  men,  grenadiers  and  light  infantry,  from  the 
English  army,  were  no  doubt  considered  by  General  G-age 
a  very  ample  detachment  to  march  eighteen  or  twenty 
miles  through  an  open  country :  an^i  a  very  fair  match 


56 


THE  FIGHT  AT  CONCORD  BRIDGE. 


for  all  the  resistance  which  could  be  made  by  unprepared 
husbandmen,  without  concert,  discipline,  or  leaders. 

With  about  ten  times  their  number,  the  Grecian  com- 
mander  had  forced  a  march  out  of  the  wrecks  of  a  field  of 
battle  and  defeat,  through  the  barbarous  nations  of  Asia, 
for  thirteen  long  months,  from  the  plains  of  Babylon  to 
the  Black  Sea,  through  forests,  defiles,  and  deserts,  which 
the  foot  of  civilized  man  had  never  trod.  It  was  the 
American  cause, — its  holy  foundation  in  truth  and  right, 
its  strength  and  life  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  that  con- 
verted what  would  naturally  have  been  the  undisturbed 
march  of  a  strong,  well-provided  army,  into  a  rabble  rout 
of  terror  and  death.  It  was  this  which  sowed  the  fields 
of  our  pacific  villages  with  dragon's  teeth ;  which  nerved 
the  arm  of  age ;  called  the  ministers  and  servants  of  the 
church  into  the  hot  fire ;  and  even  filled  with  strange  pas- 
sion and  manly  strength,  the  heart  and  the  arm  of  the 
stripling. 

A  British  historian,  to  paint  the  terrific  aspect  of  things 
that  presented  itself  to  his  countrymen,  declares  that  the 
rebels  swarmed  upon  the  hills,  as  if  they  had  dropped 
from  the  clouds.  Before  the  flying  troops  had  reached 
Lexington,  their  rout  was  entire.  Some  of  the  officers  had 
been  made  prisoners,  some  had  been  killed,  and  several 
wounded,  and  among  them  the  commander-in-chief.  Colo- 
nel Smith.    The  ordinary  means  of  preserving  discipline 


THE  FIGHT  AT  COXCORD  BRIDGE.  67 

failed ;  the  wounded,  in  chaises  and  wagons,  pressed  to 
the  front  and  obstructed  the  road  ;  wherever  the  flanking 
parties,  from  the  nature  of  the  ground,  were  forced  to 
come  in,  the  line  of  march  was  crowded  and  broken ;  the 
ammunition  began  to  fail ;  and  at  length  the  entire  body 
was  on  a  full  run.  "  We  attempted,"  says  a  British  officer 
already  quoted,  to  stop  the  men  and  form  them  two  deep, 
but  to  no  purpose ;  the  confusion  rather  increased  than 
lessened." 

An  English  historian  says,  the  British  soldiers  were 
driven  before  the  Americans  like  sheep ;  till,  by  a  last 
desperate  effort,  the  officers  succeeded  in  forcing  their  way 
to  the  front,  "  when  they  presented  their  swords  and  bayo- 
nets against  the  breasts  of  their  own  men,  and  told  them 
if  they  advanced  they  should  die."  Upon  this  they  began 
to  form,  under  what  the  same  British  officer  pronounces  a 
"very  hea\^  fire,"  which  must  soon  have  led  to  the  de- 
struction or  captui'e  of  the  whole  corps. 

At  this  critical  moment  a  reinforcement  arrived.  Co- 
lonel Smith  had  sent  back  a  messenger  from  Lexington 
to  apprise  General  Gage  of  the  check  he  had  there  re- 
ceived, and  of  the  alarm  which  was  running  through  the 
country.  Three  regiments  of  infantry  and  two  divisions 
of  marines  with  two  field-pieces,  under  the  command  of 
Brigadier-General  Lord  Percy,  were  accordingly  detached" 
They  marched  out  of  Boston,  through  Roxbury  and  Cam- 


68 


THE  FIGHT  AT  CONCORD  BRIDGE. 


XORD  PERCY. 


bridge,  and  came  up  with  the  %ing  party,  in  the  hour  of 
their  extreme  peril.  While  their  field-pieces  kept  the 
Americans  at  bay,  the  reinforcement  drew  up  in  a  hollow 
square,  into  which,  says  the  British  historian,  they  received 
the  exhausted  fugitives,  who  lay  down  on  the  ground,  with 
their  tongues  hanging  from  their  mouths,  like  dogs  after 
a  chase." 

A  half  hour  was  given  to  rest ;  the  march  was  then  re* 
eumed ;  and  under  cover  of  the  field-pieces,  every  house  in 
Lexington,  and  on  the  road  downwards,  was  plundered 
and  set  on  fire.  Though  the  flames  in  most  cases  were 
speedily  extinguished,  several  houses  were  destroyed. 


THE  FIGHT  AT  CONCORD  BRIDGE.     ,  61 

Notwithstanding  ihe  attention  of  a  great  part  of  the  Ame- 
ricans was  thus  drawn  off,  and  although  the  British  force 
was  now  more  than  doubled,  their  retreat  still  wore  the 
aspect  of  a  flight.  The  Americans  filled  the  heights  that 
overhung  the  road,  and  at  every  defile  the  struggle  was 
sharp  and  bloody. 

At  West  Cambridge,  the  gallant  Warren,  never  distant 
when  danger  was  to  be  braved,  appeared  in  the  field,  and 
a  musket-ball  soon  cut  off  a  lock  of  hair  from  his  temple. 
General  Heath  was  with  him,  nor  does  there  appear  till 
this  moment,  to  have  been  any  effective  command  among 
the  American  forces. 

.|  Below  West  Cambridge,  the  militia  from  Dorchester, 
Roxbury,  and  Brookline  came  up.  The  British  field- 
pieces  began  to  lose  their  terror.  A  sharp  skirmish  fol- 
lowed, and  many  fell  on  both  sides.  Indignation  and 
outraged  humanity  struggled  on  the  one  hand,  veteran 
discipline  and  desperation  on  the  other ;  and  the  contest, 
in  more  than  one  instance,  was  man  to  man,  and  bayonet 
to  bayonet. 

The  British  officers  had  been  compelled  to  descend  from 
their  horses  to  escape  the  certain  destruction  which  at- 
tended their  exposed  situation.  The  wounded,  to  the 
number  of  two  hundred,  now  presented  the  most  distress- 
ing and  constantly  increasing  obstruction  to  the  progress 
of  the  march. 

6 


62  THE  FIGHT  AT  CaXCORD  BRIDGE. 

Near  one  hundred  brave  men  liad  fallen  in  this  disas- 
trous flight ;  a  considerable  number  had  been  made  pris- 
oners ;  a  round  or  two  of  ammunition  only  remained ;  and 
it  was  not  till  late  in  the  evening,  nearly  twenty-four 
hours  from  the  time  when  the  first  detachment  was  put  in 
motion,  that  the  exhausted  remnant  reached  the  heights 
of  Charlestown. 

The  boats  of  the  vessels  of  war  were  immediately  em- 
ployed to  transport  the  wounded  ;  the  remaining  British 
troops  in  Boston  came  over  to  Charlestown  to  protect 
their  weary  countrymen  during  the  night ;  and  before  the 
close  of  the  next  day  the  royal  army  was  formally  besieged 
m  Boston. 


BENEDICT  ARNOLD. 


CAPTURE  OY  TICONDEROGA. 


Soon  after  tlie  battle  of  Lexington,  the  capture  of  Ti- 
conderoga  and  Crown  Point,  two  forts,  that  would  be  of 
great  importance  to  the  Americans,  was  conceived  by  some 
of  the  boldest  inhabitants  of  Connocticut.  Forty  volun- 
teers were  raised,  who  proceeded  from  Connecticut  to 
Bennington,  in  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  where  they 
w'ere  to  meet  Colonel  Ethan  Allen.  He  soon  joined  them 
with  two  hundred  and  thirty  men  at  Castleton,  and  en- 
tered readily  into  their  design.  They  were  quite  unex- 
pectedly joined  by  Colonel  Benedict  Arnold,  who  waa 

(63) 


64      '    ;  CAPTURE  OF  TICONDEROGA. 

bound  upon  the  same  errand.  He  was  permitted  to  act 
as  an  auxiliary  to  Allen,  who  acted  as  commander  of  the 
party.  They  arrived  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Champlain, 
opposite  Ticonderoga  on  the  9th  of  May. 

Allen  and  Arnold  with  eighty  three  men  crossed  and 
entered  the  fort  abreast.  They  found  the  whole  garri-  • 
son  with  the  exception  of  one  sentinel  asleep ;  and  his 
piece  missing  fire,  he  made  an  attempt  to  escape  into  the 
fort ;  but  he  was  pursued  by  the  Americans,  who,  form- 
ing themselves  into  a  hollow  square,  gave  three  loud 
huzzas,  which  instantly  alarmed  the  sleeping  garrison. 

Some  slight  skirmishing  ensued,  when  the  commander, 
De  la  Place,  appeared,  and  was  required  to  surrender  the 
fort.  "By  what  authority  ?"  he  asked  in  great  surprise, 
I  demand  it,"  replied  Allen,  "  in  the  name  of  the  Great 
Jehovah  and  of  the  continental  Congress  !"  This  extra- 
ordinary summons  was  instantly  obeyed  ;  and  the  fort, 
with  its  valuable  stores  and  forty-nine  prisoners,  was  sur- 
rendered without  delay. 

Crown  Point  was  captured  by  Colonel  Seth  Warren, 
immediately  after,  together  with  the  garrison,  which  con 
sisted  only  of  a  Sergeant  and  twelve  men.  Arnold  cap- 
tured a  British  Sloop-of-war,  lying  off  St.  Johns,  at  the 
Northern  end  of  Lake  Champlain,  and  now  commenced  a 
brilliant  though  very  brief  career,  which  was  soon  clouded 


6* 


CAPTURE  OF  TICONDEROGA.  67 

by  private  vice,  vanity  and  prodigality,  and  finally  tar- 
nished by  public  treachery  and  dishonor. 

Thus  the  Americans,  without  losing  a  single  man,  ac- 
quired by  a  bold  decisive  blow  two  important  posts,  a  great 
quantity  of  artillery  and  ammunition,  and  the  command  of 
Lake  George  and  Champlain. 


BATTLE  OF  BUNKEK'S  HILL. 

The  traveller  who  visits  Boston  can  scarcely  fail  to  as- 
sociate in  his  mind  the  field  of  battle  where  the  early  heroes 
of  the  Bevolution  first  established  the  character  of  that 
event,  marked  as  it  was  by  undaunted  resolution,  the  off- 
spring of  a  determined  purpose.  From  the  State-House 
of  Massachusetts,  conspicuously  seated  on  an  eminence, 
the  eye  ranges  over  Charlestown,  a  considerable  place  that 
now  adjoins  Boston  by  a  spacious  bridge.  The  patriot  will 
(68) 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BUXEER's  HIIL.  69 

scarcely  content  himself  with  a  remote  view  of  this  impres- 
Bive  scene,  designated  bv  a  monument  to  the  memory  of 
General  TTarren,  who  fell  distinguished  on  that  occasion. 
At  a  distance  of  about  two  miles,  some  hills  are  discerned, 
viz.,  Prospect  Hill,  Ploughed  Hill,  Breed's  Hill,  and 
Bunker's  Hill.  As  you  advance  on  the  road  in  the  rear 
of  the  nayy  yard  at  Charlestown,  Breed's  Hill  rears  its 
yenerable  brow  on  the  left.  Here  it  was  that  a  detach- 
ment frum  the  American  army  of  one  thousand  men,  under 
Colonel  Prescott,  began  at  twelve  o'clock  in  the  night  of 
the  16th  of  June,  1775,  to  throw  up  some  works  extending 
from  Charlestown  to  the  river  which  separates  that  town 
from  Boston.  They  proceeded  with  such  secresy  and  de- 
spatch that  the  officers  of  a  ship  of  war  then  in  the  river, 
expressed  their  astonishment  when  in  the  morning  they 
saw  entrenchments  reared  and  fortified  in  the  space  of  a 
few  hours,  where,  from  the  contiguity  of  the  situation, 
they  least  expected  the  Americans  would  look  them  in  the 
face. 

The  alarm  being  immediately  given,  orders  were  given 
that  a  continual  fire  should  be  kept  playing  upon  the  un- 
finished works,  from  the  ships,  the  floating  batteries  in 
the  river,  and  Copp's  Hill,  a  fortified  post  of  the  British 
in  Boston,  directly  opposite  the  American  redoubt ;  but, 
with  extraordinary  perseverance,  the  Americans  continued 
to  strengthen  their  works,  not  returning  a  shot'  till  noon, 


70 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER'S  HILL 


when  a  number  of  boats  and  barges,  filled  with  regular 
troops  from  Boston,  approached  Charlestown.  The  day 
was  exceedingly  hot.  Ten  companies  of  grenadiers,  ten 
of  light  infantry,  with  a  proportion  of  field  artillery,  landed 
at  Moreton's  Point,  the  whole  commanded  by  Major-Ge- 
neral  Howe  and  Brigadier-General  Pigot.  The  troops 
having  formed,  remained  in  that  position  till  joined  by  a 
second  detachment  of  light  infantry  and  grenadier  com- 
panies, the  47th  regiment,  and  a  battalion  of  marines, 
making  in  the  whole  near  three  thousand  men. 

The  Americans  had  not  a  rifleman  amongst  them,  not 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER'S  HILL.  71 

one  being  yet  arrived  from  the  southward,  nor  had  they 
any  rifle  pieces  ;  they  had  but  common  muskets,  and  these 
mostly  without  bayonets  ;  but  then  they  were  almost  all 
marksmen,  being  accustomed  to  sporting  of  one  kind  or 
other  from  their  youth.  A  reinforcement  of  Massachu- 
setts troops  was  posted  in  a  redoubt,  and  in  part  of  the 
breast-work  nearest  it.  The  left  of  the  breast-work,  and 
the  open  ground  stretching  beyond  its  point  to  the  water 
side,  along  which  time  did  not  admit  of  accomplishing  the 
work,  were  occupied  partly  by  the  Massachusetts,  and 
partly  by  the  Connecticut  men  under  Captain  Nolton,  of 
Ashford,  and  the  New  Hampshire  under  Colonel  Stark, 
the  whole  amounting  to  about  one  thousand  five  hundred 
men.  By  direction  of  the  officers  the  troops  upon  the 
open  ground  pulled  up  the  post  and  rail  fence,  and  carry- 
ing it  forward  to  another  of  the  same  kind,  and  placing 
some  clods  of  grass  between,  formed  a  slight  defence  in 
some  parts. 

A  critical  scene  now  opened  to  the  view.  The  British 
regulars  formed  in  two  lines,  advanced  slowly,  frequently 
halting  to  give  the  artillery  time  to  fire.  The  light  in- 
fantry were  directed  to  force  the  left  point  of  the  breast- 
work, and  to  take  the  American  line  in  flank.  The  gren- 
adiers advanced  to  attack  in  front,  supported  by  two  bat- 
talions, under  General  Howe,  while  the  left,  under  General 


72  THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER*S  HILL. 

Pigot,  inclined  to  the  right  of  the  American  line.  The  ap* 
pearance  of  this  line  of  regulars  was  formidable. 

As  the  British  advanced  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  at- 
tack, a  carcass  was  discharged  from  Copp's  Hill,  which 
set  on  fire  an  old  house  in  Charlestown,  and  the  flames 
quickly  spread  to  others.  The  houses  at  the  eastern  end 
of  Charlestown  were  set  on  fire  by  seamen  from  the  boats. 
The  whole  toAvn,  consisting  of  about  three  hundred  dwel- 
ling houses,  and  nearly  two  hundred  other  buildings,  be- 
came speedily  involyed  in  one  great  blaze,  being  chiefly 
of  timber.  The  large  meeting-house,  by  its  aspiring  steeple, 
formed  a  pyramid  of  fire  above  the  rest. 

The  houses,  heights,  and  steeples  in  Boston  were  covered 
with  spectators  of  this  anxious  scene,  and  the  surrounding 
hills  were  occupied  by  others.  ^ 

The  slow  movement  of  the  British  troops  advancing  to 
the  attack,  afi'orded  to  the  Americans  the  advantage  of 
taking  a  surer  and  more  deliberate  aim.  The  wind  having 
shifted,  carried  the  smoke  from  the  conflagration  in  such 
a  direction  that  the  British  had  not  the  cover  of  it  in  their 
approach.  The  destruction  of  the  place,  however,  served 
to  prevent  their  opponents  from  effecting  a  lodgement  in 
the  houses  whence  they  might  have  annoyed  to  advantage. 
General  Warren,  who  had  been  appointed  by  Congress  a 
Major-General  in  their  armies  only  four  days  before,  was 
every  where  aiding  and  encouraging  his  men.  General 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BUXKER'S  HILL.  73 

Pomery  commanded  a  brigade,  and  General  Putnam,  a 
brave  and  meritorious  officer,  directed  the  whole  on  the 
fall  of  General  Warren.  The  troops  were  ordered  to  re- 
serve their  fire  until  the  close  approach  of  the  British. 
They  strictly  obeyed,  with  a  steadiness  and  composure 
that  would  have  done  honor  to  the  most  approved  veterans, 
and  when  the  enemy  had  arrived  within  ten  or  twelve  rods 
poured  in  a  discharge  of  small  arms  which  arrested  and  so 
staggered  their  foes,  that  they  could  only  for  a  time  return 
it,  without  advancing  a  step. 

Finding  the  stream  of  the  American  fii'e  so  incessant 
as  to  mow  down  whole  sections,  they  retired  in  disorder 
to  the  river.  Rallying  as  well  as  their  Ixtraordinary  loss 
of  their  officers  would  admit  of,  the  British  again  advan- 
ced with  the  apparent  resolution  of  forcing  their  way, 
whatever  loss  of  life  it  might  cost  them.  The  Americans 
again  reserved  their  fire  till  the  enemy  arrived  within  six 
rods,  when,  discharging  their  pieces,  which  were  admira- 
bly pointed,  they  threw  the  opposing  ranks  again  into 
confusion. 

General  Clinton,  who,  with  General  Gage,  the  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  British  forces  in  Boston,  was  on 
Copp's  Hill,  observing  the  event  of  the  day,  when  he  per- 
ceived the  disconcerted  state  of  the  troops,  passed  over 
and  joined  just  in  time  to  be  of  service.  The  united  and 
strenuous  efforts  of  the  different  officers  were  again  sue- 

7 


74  THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKEU'S  HILL.  I 


GENERAL  CLINTON. 


cessful,  and  the  columns  were  advanced  a  third  time  to 
the  attackj  with  a  desperation  increased  by  the  unshaken 
opposition  they  experienced. 

It  is  probable,  from  the  nature  of  the  resistance,  that 
every  effort  to  dislodge  the  Americans  would  have  been 
ineffectual)  had  not  their  ammunition  failed  ;  on  sending  for 
a  supply  none  could  be  procured,  as  there  was  but  a  barrel 
and  a  half  in  the  magazine.  " 

This  deficiency  prevented  them  from  making  the  same 
defence  as  before  ;  while  the  British  enjoyed  a  farther  ad- 
vantage by  bringing  some  cannon  to  bear  so  as  to  rake 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BUXKEr's  HILL.  77 

the  inside  of  the  breast  work  from  end  to  end.  upon  whieii 
the  Americans  were  compelled  to  retreat  within  their  re- 
doubt. The  British  now  made  a  decisive  movement, 
covered  by  the  fire  of  the  ships,  batteries,  and  field-artil- 
lerj.  The  Americans  disputed  possession  of  the  works 
with  the  butt  ends  of  their  muskets,  until  the  redoubt 
easily  mounted  and  attacked  on  three  sides  at  once,  was 
taken,  and  their  defences,  the  labor  of  only  a  few  hours, 
had  been  prostrated  by  artillery. 

Whilst  these  operations  were  going  on  at  the  breast- 
work and  redoubt,  the  British  light  infantry  were  engaged 
in  attempting  to  force  the  left  r  ^'r.t  of  the  former,  through 
the  space  between  that  an^"  '„  a  water,  that  they  might 
take  the  American  line  ii-  iank.  The  resistance  they 
met  with  was  as  formid'  1,  and  fatal  in  its  effects  as  ex- 
perienced in  the  other  :^^  j.rter;  for  here,  also,  the  Ame- 
ricans by  command.,  i  e-^erved  their  fire  till  the  enemy's 
close  approach,  and  then  poured  in  a  discharge  so  well 
directed  and  with  Guch  execution,  that  wide  chasms  were 
made  in  every  rank. 

Some  of  th  ,  /Americans  were  slightly  guarded  by  the  rail 
fences,  br-  ^  ners  were  altogether  exposed,  so  that  their 
bravery  close  combat  was  put  to  the  test,  independent 
of  defe,nces  neither  formed  by  military  rules  nor  workmen, 
The  "aiost  determined  assaults  of  their  regular  opponents 
who  were  now  brought  to  the  charge  with  redoubled  fury 
7* 


78 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER'S  HILL. 


could  not,  after  all,  compel  them  to  retreat,  till  they  ob» 
served  that  their  main  body  had  left  the  hill,  when  they 
retrograded,  but  with  a  regularity  that  could  scarcely  have 
been  expected  of  troops  newly  embodied,  and  who  in  ge- 
neral never  before  saw  an  engagement.  Overpowered  by 
numbers,  and  seeing  all  hope  of  reinforcement  cut  off  by 
the  incessant  fire  of  the  ships  across  a  neck  of  land  that 
separated  them  from  the  country,  they  were  compelled  to 
quit  the  ground. 

The  staunch  opposition  of  this  band  of  patriots  saved 
their  comrades,  who  must  otherwise  have  been  cut  off,  as 
the  enemy,  but  for  them,  would  have  been  in  the  rear  of 
the  whole.  While  these  brav  e  heroes  retired,  disputing 
every  inch  of  ground,  and  taking  up  every  new  position 
(Successively  that  admitted  of  defence,  their  leader,  the  gal- 
lant Warren,  unfortunately  receiYed  a  ball  through  the 
skull,  and  mechanically  clapping  ais  hand  to  the  wound, 
dropped  down  dead. 

The  British,  taught  by  the  experience  of  this  day  to 
respect  their  rustic  adversaries,  contented  themselves  with 
taking  post  at  Bunker's  Hill,  which  they  fortified.  The 
Americans,  with  the  enthusiasm  of  men  determined  to  be 
free,  did  the  same  upon  Prospect  Hill,  a  mile  in  front.  It 
was  here  that  General  Putnam  regaled  the  precious ..,  emains 
of  his  army  after  the  fatigues,  with  several  hogshea-ds  of 
beer.    Owing  to  some  unaccountable  error,  the  worAing 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER'S  HILL. 


79 


GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


parties  -who  had  been  inv  .  .santly  laboring  the  whole  of  the 
preceding  night,  were  :,-..ther  relieved  nor  supplied  with 
refreshments,  but  ler  to  engage  under  all  these  disadvan- 
tages. The  battle  "  .3  generally  admitted,  by  experienced 
officers  of  theBrir'sh  army  who  witnessed  it  and  had  served 
at  Minden,  Dpiiingen,  and  throughout  the  campaign  in 
Germany,  to  have  been  unparalleled  for  the  time  it  lasted, 
and  the  "xumbers  engaged.  There  was  a  continued  sheet 
of  fire  V;' :m  the  breast- work  for  nearly  half  an  hour,  and 
the  action  was  hot  for  about  double  that  period.  In  this 
short  space  of  time,  the  loss  of  the  British  according  to 
(26) 


80  THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER's  HILL. 

General  Gage,  amounted  to  ten  hundred  and  fifty-four,  of 
whom  two  hundred  and  twenty  six  were  killed ;  of  these 
nineteen  were  commissioned  officers,  including  a  lieuten- 
ant colonel,  two  majors,  and  seven  captains ;  seventy  other 
officers  were  wounded. 

The  battle  of  Quebec,  in  the  former  war,  with  all  its 
glory,  and  the  vastness  of  the  consequences  attending  it, 
was  not  so  disastrous  in  the  loss  of  officers  as  this  affair  of 
an  American  entrenchment,  the  work  of  but  a  few  hours. 
The  fact  was,  the  Americans,  accustomed  to  aim  with  pre- 
cision and  to  select  objects,  directed  their  skill  principally 
against  the  officers  of  the  British  army,  justly  conceiving 
that  much  confusion  wou  /    isue  on  their  fall. 

Nearly  all  the  officers  ar  md  the  person  of  General 
Howe  were  killed  or  disabled  and  the  General  himself 
narrowly  escaped.  At  the  bai'le  of  Minden,  where  the 
British  regiments  sustained  the  ftrse  of  the  whole  French 
army  for  a  considerable  time,  the  n  imber  of  officers  killed, 
including  two  who  died  soon  after  of  their  wounds,  was 
only  thirteen,  and  the  wounded  sixoj  six  ;  the  total  loss 
of  the  army  on  that  occasion  was  two-hi  ndred  and  ninety 
one  in  killed,  and  one  thousand  and  thirty  seven  wounded. 

The  British  acknowledged  the  valor  of  their  opponents, 
which,  though  by  no  means  new  to  them,  suri.  issed  on 
this  occasion  what  could  have  been  expected  r  f-  ai»  hand- 
ful  of  cottagers,  as  they  termed  them,  under  officers  of 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER'S  HILL. 


81 


GENERAL  WOLFE. 


little  military  knowledge  and  still  less  experience,  wHom 
thej  affected  to  hold  in  contempt. 

They  pretended  to  forget  that  many  of  the  common 
soldiers  who  gained  such  laurels  by  their  singular  bravery 
on  the  plains  of  Abraham,  when  Wolf  died  in  the  arms 
of  victory,  were  natives  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay.  "When 
Martinique  was  attacked  in  1761,  and  the  British  force 
was  greatly  reduced  by  sickness  and  mortality,  the  timely 
arrival  of  the  New  England  troops  enabled  the  British 
commander  to  prosecute  the  reduction  of  the  island  to  a 
happy  issue. 

A  part  of  the  troops  being  sent  on  an  expedition  to  the 
Havana,  the  New  Englanders,  whose  health  had  been 
much  impaired  by  service  and  the  climate,  were  embarked 


82  THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER^S  HIIL. 

in  three  ships  for  their  native  country,  with  a  view  to  their 
recovery.  Before  they  had  completed  their  voyage,  they 
found  themselves  restored, ordered  the  ships  about,  steered 
immediately  for  the  Havana,  arrived  when  the  British 
were  too  much  weakened  to  expect  success,  and  by  their 
junction,  contributed  materially  to  the  surrender  of  the 
place.  Their  fidelity,  activity,  and  good  conduct  was  such 
as  to  gain  the  approbation  and  unbounded  confidence  of 
the  British  officers.  Of  such  elementary  principles  were 
the  heroes  of  Bunker's  hill  composed.  It  surely  was  a 
misguided  policy  to  rouse  the  opposition  of  men  made  of 
these  materials. 

A  spot  so  fertile  in  great  associations,  could  not  but 
attract  the  special  notice  of  the  president  of  the  United 
States  during  a  tour  to  the  eastward.  It  was  precisely 
where  Warren  fell  that  his  excellency  met  the  citizens  of 
Charleston  on  the  occasion  and  addressed  them  as  follows : 

"  It  is  highly  gratifying  to  me  to  meet  the  committee 
of  Charleston  upon  a  theatre  so  interesting  to  the  United 
States.  It  is  impossible  to  approach  Bunker  Hill,  where 
the  war  of  the  Bevolution  commenced,  with  so  much  honor 
to  the  nation,  without  being  deeply  afiected.  The  blood 
spilt  here  roused  the  whole  American  people,  and  united 
them  in  the  common  cause,  in  defence  of  their  rights. — 
that  union  will  never  be  broken." 

Whether  indeed  we  consider  the  action  of  the  17th  of 


THE  BATTLE  OE  BUNKER'S  HILL. 


85 


June  in  itself,  or  as  the  prelude  to  succeeding  events,  we 
must  pronounce  it  to  be  the  most  glorious  of  our  history, 
for  the  numbers  engaged  and  the  defences  made  use  of. 

If  we  except  that  of  New  Orleans,  no  parallel  is  to  be 
found  to  it  in  the  extent  of  impression  produced  upon  the 
enemy.  But  there  time  had  been  afforded  for  maturing 
the  works,  which  were  constructed  under  the  superinten- 
tendance  of  skilful  engineers,  and  extended  under  a  posi- 
tion that  could  not  be  outflanked.  Twelve  hours  only 
were  gained  for  those  on  Breed's  Hill,  formed,  during  a 
great  part  of  the  time,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's 
ships,  a  number  of  floating  batteries,  beside  fortifications 
which  poured  upon  them  an  incessant  shower  of  shot  and 
shells,  and  left  incomplete,  owing  to  the  intolerable  can- 
nonade. 


SIR  GUY  CARLETON. 

ATTACK  ON  QUEBEC. 

It  became  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  Tioonderoga 
and  Crown  Point,  that  the  conquests  should  be  carried 
further  into  Canada,  as  the  Governor  of  that  province, 
Sir  Guy  Carleton,  was  believed  to  be  forming  an  inva- 
sion of  the  north-western  frontier.  The  command  of  the 
expedition  intended  for  this  service  was  deputed  to  Gene- 
rals Schuyler  and  Montgomery.  An  address  was  issued 
by  the  former  in  which  it  was  stated  that  his  commands 
(86) 


■  ...  -  ^. 


ATTACK  ON  QUEBEC.  89 

were  to  cherish  every  Canadian,  and  every  friend  to  the 
cause  of  liberty,  and  to  hold  their  property  sacred. 

About  one  thousand  Americans,  on  the  10th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1775,  landed  at  St.  John,  the  first  British  post 
in  Canada,  one  hundi^ed  and  fifteen  miles  north  of  Ticon- 
deroga  ;  but  it  was  soon  found  advisable  to  retreat  to  Isle- 
aux-Noir,  twelve  miles  south  of  St.  Johns,  from  which 
place  General  Schuyler  set  out  for  Ticonderoga,  on  ac- 
count of  sickness  leaving  General  Montgomery  in  the 
command. 

Montgomery  soon  returned  to  the  neighbornood  of  St. 
John  and  began  a  siege  ;  he  took  Fort  Chamblee,  and 
found  therein  six  tons  of  powder,  which  enabled  him  to 
press  the  siege  vigorously.  Carlton  advanced  with  eight 
hundred  men  against  him,  but  was  met,  and  driven  back 
by  Colonel  Harmer  with  three  hundred  Green  Moun- 
tain boys."  The  garrison  of  St.  Johns,  was  forced  to 
oome  to  terms,  and  Montgomery  marched  to  Montreal. 
While  these  events  were  transpiring  at  St.  Johns  Colonel 
Ethan  Allen  was  made  prisoner  by  the  British  near  Mon- 
treal, together  with  about  thirty  eight  of  his  men.  He 
was  sent  to  England,  loaded  with  irons  and  cruelly  treated 
to  stand  his  trial  as  a  rebel. 

General  Prescott,  together  with  several  officers  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty  privates,  were  made  prisoners,  and 

eleven  armed  vessels,  with  all  their  contents,  fell  into  the 

8* 


90  ATTACK  ON  QUEBEC. 

hands  of  the  Americans,  under  Montgomery  at  Montreal, 
Sir  Guy  Carleton,  however,  fled  to  Quebec,  whither  he 
was  followed  by  Montgomery  who  speedily  arrived  before 
the  town. 

In  the  meantime,  Arnold  had  been  despatched  by 
General  Washington  by  way  of  the  Kennebec  river,  and 
the  wilderness  lying  between  the  settlements  in  Maine 
and  the  St.  Lawrence  river  to  Quebec ;  and  that  officer 
began  his  march  on  the  13th  of  September  with  eleven 
hundred  men.  They  were  composed  chiefly  of  New  Eng. 
land  infantry,  and  contained  a  company  of  artillery, 
Arnold  after  a  march  of  six  weeks,  arrived  in  Canada,  and 
encamped  on  the  9th  of  November  on  Point  Levi,  near 
Quebec.  Had  he  made  an  immediate  attack,  the  town 
might  have  been  taken ;  but  the  boats  necessary  in  order 
to  cross  the  river  could  not  be  procured.  Great  eflorts 
were  made  byHhe  English  and  Canadians  to  save  the  town, 
and  reinforcements  having  been  received,  a  vigorous  de- 
fence was  promised.  Arnold  crossed  the  St.  Lawrence 
on  the  14th  of  November,  and  ascended  the  heights  of 
Abraham ;  but  as  by  this  time  the  defendants  were  more 
numerous  than  their  assailants,  Arnold  thought  it  best  to 
retire  to  Point  aux  Trembles,  twenty  miles  above  Quebec, 
and  there  wait  for  Montgomery,  who,  with  three  hundred 
men,  joined  him  on  the  first  of  December. 

Montgomery  now  marched  directly  against  Quebec,  and 


ATTACK  ON  QUEBEC. 


GENERAL  MORGAN. 


co-mmenced  a  siege.  As  his  artillery  was  too  light  to  be 
of  any  service,  it  was  determined  to  carry  the  place  by 
storm.  Two  feigned  attacks  were  made  on  the  upper 
town  by  Majors  Brown  and  Livingston,  whilst  Montgomery 
and  Arnold  niade  two  real  attacks.  This  took  place  on 
the  31st  day  of  December. 

Montgomery,  at  first  met  with  success,  while  advancing 


94  ATTACK  ON  QUEBEC. 

along  the  banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  the  battery  was 
deserted  by  all  the  enemy,  except  two  or  three  persons, 
one  of  whom,  in  retiring,  applied  a  slow  match  to  one  of 
the  guns  and  fired  it.  Casual  as  this  shot  appears,  it  waa 
fatal.  Montgomery  and  his  staff  were  within  forty  paces 
of  the  piece ;  and  that  gallant  General,  with  his  aid.  Cap- 
tain William  Pherson,  and  Captain  Cheesman,  with  the 
orderly  sergeant  and  private,  were  all  killed  upon  the  spot, 
Colonel  Campbell  on  whom  the  command  devolved  preci- 
pitately retreated,  with  the  rest  of  th^  division. 

In  the  meantime  Arnold,  with  three  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  made  an  attack  on  the  other  side  ;  but  he  was  woun- 
ded by  a  musket  ball  in  the  leg,  and  was  borne  from  the 
field.  Captain  Morgan,  with  a  company  of  Virginia 
riflemen,  pressed  forward  and  took  the  battery.  Morgan 
formed  his  men,  but  from  the  total  darkness,  and  ignorance 
of  the  town,  he  was  unable  to  proceed.  He  was  however, 
soon  joined  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Grreen  and  other  officers, 
and  his  force  increased  to  two  hundred  men.  They  were 
attacked  by  the  garrison  at  daylight,  and  after  sustain- 
ing the  whole  force  of  the  army  for  three  hours  they  were 
compelled  to  surrender.  ^ 

Colonel  Morgan  here  laid  the  foundation  of  that  fame, 
that  throughout  the  revolution,  was  so  materially  increased. 
In  losing  General  Montgomery,  the  country  lost  one  whose 
services  would,  doubtless,  have  proved  very  valuable.  He 


ATTACK  ON  QUEBEC. 


95 


MOXUMEXT  OF  MONTGOMERY,  AT  ST,  PAUL'S  CHURCH 
NEW  YORK. 

was  born  m  Ireland,  and  gained  much  distinction  in  our 
late  war  with  France,  at  the  close  of  which  he  married  and 
settled  in  New  York.  He  espoused  the  cause  of  America 
at  the  commencement  of  the  revolution  and  gained  the 
confidence  of  the  whole  army.  He  was  greatly  beloved 
among  his  private  friends,  and  enjoyed  a  large  share  of 


96  ATTACK  ON  QUEBEC. 

public  esteem.  His  death  was  considered  a  greater  losa 
to  the  American  cause,  than  all  the  others  with  which  it 
was  accompanied. 

The  subsequent  events  of  this  expedition  against  Cana- 
da, are  of  little  interest.  A  succession  of  disasters  and 
blunders  on  the  part  of  the  American  commanders  termi- 
nated in  a  retreat  from  Canada  and  the  abandonment  of  the 
project. 


ATTACK  OX  SULLIYAX'S  ISLAND. 

The  enterprize  of  reducing  the  southern  colonies,  T^aa 
committed  to  General  Clinton  and  Sir  Peter  Parker ; 
who,  having  formed  a  junction  at  Cape  Fear,  concluded 
to  attempt  the  reduction  of  Charleston,  For  that  place 
they  accordingly  sailed,  with  two  thousand  eight  hundred 
land  forces ;  and,  crossing  Charleston  bar  on  the  4th  of 
June,  anchored  about  three  miles  from  Sullivan's  Island 
Every  exertion  had  been  previously  made  to  put  the  colony, 
and  especially  its  capital,  in  a  posture  of  defence.  "Works 
had  been  erected  on  Sullivan's  Island,  which  lies  about 


98 


ATTACK  ON  SULLIVAN'S  ISLAND, 


ATTACK  ON  SULLIVAN' S  ISLAND. 


three  miles  from  Sullivan's  Island.  Every  exertion  had 
been  previously  made  to  put  the  colony,  and  especially  its 
capital,  in  a  posture  of  defence.  Works  had  been  erected 
on  Sullivan's  Island,  which  lies  about  six  miles  below 
Charleston  towards  the  sea,  and  so  near  the  channel,  as 
to  be  a  convenient  post  for  annoying  ships  when  approach- 
ing the  town.  The  militia  of  the  country  now  repaired 
in  great  numbers  to  Charleston;  and  at  this  juncture 
Major-General  Lee,  who  had  been  appointed  by  Congress 
to  the  immediate  command  of  all  the  forces  in  the  southern 
department,  arrived  with  the  regular  troops  of  the  north- 
ern colonies.  On  the  28th  of  June,  Sir  Peter  Parker 
attacked  the  fort  on  Sullivan's  Island,  with  fifty  gun  ships, 


ATTACK  ON  SULLIYAX'S  ISLAND. 


101 


COLONEL  MOULTRIE. 

four  frigates  of  twent j-eight  guns,  the  Sphynx  of  twenty 
guns,  the  Friendship  armed  vessel  of  twent j-two  guns,  and 
the  Ranger  sloop  and  the  Thunder  bomb,  each  of  eight 
guns.  On  the  fort  there  were  mounted  twenty-six  cannon, 
with  which  the  garrison,  consisting  of  three  hundred  and 
seventy-five  regulars  and  a  few  militia,  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Moultrie,  made  a  most  gallant  defence.  The 
attack  commenced  between  ten  and  eleven  in  the  morning, 

9* 


102  ATTACK  ON  SULLIVAN' S  ISLAND. 

and  was  continued  upwards  of  ten  hours.  The  flag-staff 
of  the  fort  being  shot  away  very  early  in  the  action.  Ser- 
geant Jasper  leaped  down  upon  the  beach,  took  up  the 
flag,  and,  regardless  of  the  incessant  firing  of  the  ship- 
ping, mounted  and  placed  it  on  the  rampart. 

Three  of  the  ships,  advancing  about  twelve  o'clock  to 
attack  the  western  wing  of  the  fort,  became  entangled 
with  a  shoal;  to  which  providential  incident  the  pre- 
servation of  the  garrison  is  ascribed.  At  half  past  nine, 
the  firing  on  both  sides  ceased  ;  and  soon  after  the  ships 
slipped  their  cables.  In  this  action,  the  deliberate  well- 
directed  fire  of  the  garrison  exceedingly  shattered  the 
ships;  and  the  killed  and  wounded  exceeded  two  hundred 
men.  The  loss  of  the  garrison  was  only  ten  men  killed 
and  twenty-two  wounded.  Though  many  thousand  shot 
were  fired  from  the  shipping,  yet  the  works  were  but 
little  damaged.  The  fort  being  built  of  palmetto,  a  tree 
indigenous  to  Carolina,  of  a  remarkably  spongy  nature, 
the  shot  which  struck  it  were  merely  buried  in  the  wood, 
without  shivering  it.  Hardly  a  hut  or  a  tree  on  the  island 
escaped.  The  thanks  of  Congress  were  given  to  General 
Lee,  and  to  Colonels  Thomson  and  Moultrie,  for  their 
good  conduct  on  this  memorable  day;  and  the  fort,  in 
compliment  to  the  commanding  officer,  was  from  that  time, 
called  Fort  Moultrie. 

The  victory  at  Sullivan's  island  was  of  immense  impor- 


ATTACK  ON  SXTLLIVAN'S  ISLAND.  103 

Jance  to  the  cause  of  liberty.  It  saved  the  southern  coun- 
try from  the  horrors  of  war  for  several  years.  When  the 
British  at  length  invaded  South  Carolina  and  Georgia, 
the  capture  of  Burgoyne  had  already  been  effected  and 
the  alliance  with  France  entered  into  ;  and  the  well  di- 
rected exertions  of  Greene, aided  by  Marion,  Sumpter  and 
the  other  partisan  leaders  speedily  effected  the  expulsion 
of  the  enemy  from  the  South  and  prepared  for  the  capture 
of  Cornwallia  and  his  army. 


THE  DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE 

As  the  colonies  had  so  long  submitted  to  oppres,iion 
from  the  mother  country,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  de- 
clare themselves  a  free  and  independent  people.  Accai^'d- 
ingly,  on  the  7th  of  June,  1776,  the  great  question  of  in- 
dependence was  brought  directly  before  Congress,  by 
Richard  Henry  Lee,  one  of  the  delegates  from  Virginia. 
He  submitted  a  resolution,  declaring  *'that  the  united 
colonies  are,  and  ought  to  be,  free  and  independent  states ; 
that  they  are  absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British 
crown  ;  and  that  all  political  connexion  between  them  and 

the  state  of  Great  Britain  is,  and  ought  to  be,  totally 

(104) 


DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 


lOT 


dissolved."  The  resolution  was  postponed  until  the  next 
day,  and  every  member  enjoined  to  attend,  to  take  the 
same  into  consideration.  On  the  8th  it  was  debated  in 
committee  of  the  whole  house.  Xo  question  of  greater 
magnitude  was  ever  presented  to  the  consideration  of  a 
deliberative  body,  or  debated  with  more  energy,  eloquence, 
and  ability.  On  the  10th  it  was  adopted  in  committee,  by 
a  bare  majority.  The  delegates  from  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland  were  instructed  to  oppose  it,  and  the  delegates 
from  some  of  the  other  colonies  were  without  special  in- 
structions on  the  subject.  To  give  time  for  greater  una- 
nimity, the  resolution  was  postponed  in  the  house  until 
the  1st  of  July.  In  the  meantime,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  a  declaration  of  independence.  During 
this  interval,  measures  were  taken  to  procure  the  assent 
of  all  the  colonies. 

On  the  day  appointed,  the  resolution  relating  to  inde- 
pendence was  resumed  in  the  general  Congress,  referred 
to  a  committee  of  the  whole  house,  and  assented  to  by  all 
the  colonies,  except  Pennsylvania  and  Delaware.  The 
committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  declaration  of  indepen- 
dence selected  Mr.  Adams  and  Mr.  Jefferson  as  a  sub- 
committee, and  the  original  draft,  was  made  by  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson. This  draft,  without  any  amendment  by  the  com- 
mittee, was  reported  to  congress,  and,  after  undergoing 
several  amendments,  received  their  sanction. 


108 


DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 


JOHN  HANCOCK. 


The  course  of  time  has  now  brought  us  to  the  decisive 
hour  when  a  new  empire,  of  a  character  the  most  extra- 
ordinary, springs  into  being.  The  world  has  known  no 
rest  since  this  grand  confederacy  took  her  rank  among  the 
nations  of  the  earth ;  her  example  infused  a  power  into 
the  principles  of  liberty  which  for  nearly  two  centuries 
had  been  dormant  ;  although  in  another  hemisphere,  it  has 
exercised  more  influence  on  the  state  of  the  public  mind 
in  Europe  than  did  the  great  struggle  in  the  days  of  the 
commonwealth ;  and  the  world  will  know  no  rest  more, 


DECLARATiqy  OF  IXDEPEXDENCE.  109 

till,  under  whatever  form,  the  great  lessons  of  freedom 
which  American  history  enforces,  have  been  listened  to, 
and  embodied  in  action,  by  ever  y  nation  of  the  globe. 

The  Declaration  was  read  from  the  door  of  the  State 
House  in  Philadelphia,  on  the  4th  of  July,  1TT6,  and  re- 
ceived with  shouts  of  congratulation,  and  the  ringing  of 
bells,  J%nd  firing  of  cannon, — tokens  of  rejoicing,  which, 
accor('!ing  to  a  prediction  of  the  celebrated  John  Adams, 
have  been  repeated  annually  to  the  present  day.  The  hall 
in  which  congress  was  then  assembled,  was  thenceforward 
called  Independence  Hall,  and  the  public  square,  in  which 
the  Americans  first  assembled  to  hear  the  charter  of  free- 
dom read,  still  retains  the  name  of  Independence  Square. 

When  the  Declaration  had  been  passed  and  proclaimed 
it  was  engrossed  on  parchment,  and  signed  by  each  member 
of  Congress.  Dac  Similies  of  their  signatures  have  been 
published,  and  the  bold,  manly  writing  of  John  Hancock, 
the  president,  at  the  head  of  the  list,  is  indicative  of  his 
character.  When  Charles  Carroll  wrote  his  name,  some 
one  remarked  that  he  might  escape  the  penalties  of  trea- 
son after  all,  as  there  were  several  of  his  name.  The 
patriot  instantly  added  '-of  Carrollton,"  and  thus  indivi- 
dualized, his  name  will  go  down  to  the  latest  posterity. 

10 


FIRMNESS  OF  WASHINGTOK 

Aftee  the  arrival  of  Sir  William  Howe,  in  June,  1776, 
and  before  commencing  hostile  operations,  he  despatched 
a  circular  letter,  with  a  declaration,  to  the  principal  mag- 
istrates of  all  the  colonies,  acquainting  them  that  he  had 
been  empowered  to  act  as  a  commissioner  of  peace,  and 
desiring  that  the  same  might  be  published  for  the  inform 
ation  of  the  people. 
(110) 


FIRMXESS  OF  WASHINGTON.  113 

The  declaration  and  letters  were  forwarded  by  Congresa 
to  General  Washington,  and  ordered  to  be  pnblished  in 
the  several  newspapers,  in  order  that  the  inhabitants  might 
know  the  views  of  the  commissioners,  and  the  terms,  with 
the  hope  of  which  the  British  ministry  had  endeavored  to 
amuse  and  disarm  them  ;  and  if  there  were  any  who  were 
undecided,  as  to  what  course  they  should  pursue,  they 
might  be  convinced,  that  the  valor  of  their  countrymen 
could  alone  save  their  liberties. 

A  letter  was  despatched  with  a  flag  to  New  York,  ad- 
dressed to  "  George  Washington  Esq."  The  general  de- 
clined receivinor  it,  not  he'm^  directed  to  him  with  the 
title  and  style,  suitable  to  his  station.  He  was  applauded 
by  Congress  for  acting  with  becoming  dignity,  and  all  the 
officers  were  directed  not  to  receive  any  letters  or  messages 
that  were  not  addressed  to  them  according  to  their  re- 
spective ranks. 

Adjutant- General  Patterson  was  next  sent  with  a  letter 
addressed  to  "  George  Washington,  &C.5  &c.,  &;c.,"  He 
was  exempted  from  being  blindfolded,  as  usual  in  passing 
through  fortifications,  and  was  received  by  the  general 
with  the  greatest  politeness ;  but,  notwithstanding  all  this 
envoj  could  offer,  the  et  ceteras  would  not  remove  the  im- 
pediments to  the  correspondence  attempted.  It  was  true, 
the  general  told  him  "  the  et  ceteras  imply  everything 
but  it  is  no  less  true,  that  they  imply  anything." 


114  FIRMNESS  OF  WASHINGTON. 

This  affair  displayed  the  characteu  of  the  generars 
temper,  and  that  he  was  ever  firm  and  guarded,  in  adhe- 
ring to  the  line  of  conduct  he  had  once  adopted.  A  con 
ference  now  ensued  on  the  subject  of  prisoners,  both  sides 
having  complaints  to  make  relative  to  the  treatment  they 
received.  On  the  adjutant  stating  that  the  commissioners 
were  entrusted  with  great  powers,  the  general  answered, 
"  their  powers,  are  only  to  grant  pardons.  They  who 
have  committed  no  fault,  want  no  pardon.  The  Ameri- 
cans are  only  defending  what  they  think  their  indisputa- 
ble rights."  Thus  ended  a  conference,  from  which  it 
was  evident,  that  all  future  attempts  at  conciliation  would 
prove  vain.  The  adjutant  throughout  the  whole  interview 
addressed  the  general  as  "  Excellency,"  and  behaved  with 
great  politeness  and  deference. 

The  firmness  of  Washington  was  displayed  not  less 
conspicuously  in  many  other  trying  scenes  of  the  revolu- 
tionary war.  So  well  was  this  trait  in  his  character 
understood,  that  throughout  the  whole  contest  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  people,  in  congress,  placed  more  de- 
pendence on  him  than  on  themselves.  He  was  the  bulwark 
of  our  liberties.  He  was  appealed  to,  and  his  advice 
taken  by  congress  in  all  great  emergencies.  He  was,  in 
point  of  fact,  dictator,  at  all  times,  until  he  set  the  noble 
example  of  resigning  his  commission  into  the  hands  of 


FIRMNESS  OF  WASHIXaTON.  '  115 

congress  at  Annapolis  when  the  great  struggle  had  finally 
terminated. 

At  one  time,  towards  the  close  of  the  war,  certain 
officers  of  the  army  were  desirous  to  make  him  king,  and 
sustain  him  bj  means  of  the  army  ;  but  his  patriotism 
was  incorruptible.  He  indignantly  refused  the  offer  ;  and 
when  the  army  was  to  be  disbanded,  his  personal  influence 
was  successfully  exerted  in  inducing  the  soldiers  to 
return  to  their  homes  unpaid,  without  any  scenes  of 
violence  or  discontent. 


GENERAL  LEE'S  HEAD  QUARTERS  AT  BASKING  RIDGE, 

CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  LEE. 

Great  obstacles  had  to  be  encountered  in  recruiting 
for  the  American  service,  and  a  new  occurrence  increased 
this  diflficultj.  High  opinions  were  entertained  of  the 
military  talents  of  General  Charles  Lee,  by  the  friends 
of  Congress,  arising  from  his  success  in  the  defence  of 
Charlestown. 

While  Washington  was  retreating  through  the  Jerseys, 
(116) 


(after  the  battle  of  White  Plains,)  he  Bpecially  desired 
Lee,  who  had  been  left  at  North  Castle,  to  hasten  his 
march  to  the  Delaware,  and  join  the  main  army.  Not- 
withstanding the  momentous  condition  of  affairs,  and  the 
earnest  orders  of  his  superior,  Lee  seemed  in  no  haste  to 
obey. 

He  was  reluctant  to  give  up  his  separate  command,  and 
subject  himself  to  superior  authority ;  he  therefore  marched 
slowly  southward,  at  the  head  of  about  three  thousand 
men.    His  tardy  movements,  and  unwary  conduct,  how- 


118 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  LEE. 


ever,  proved  fatal  to  his  own  personal  liberty,  and  created 
a  lively  sensation  throughout  America. 

He  lay  carelessly,  without  a  guard,  three  miles  from 
his  troops,  at  Basking  Ridge,  in  Morris  county,  where,  on 
the  13th  of  December,  Colonel  Harcourt,  who,  with  a 
small  detachment  of  light  horse,  had  been  commissioned 
to  watch  the  motions  of  that  division  of  the  American  army, 
by  a  gallant  act  of  partisan  warfare,  made  him  prisoner, 
and  conveyed  him  rapidly  to  New  York. 

Here  he  was  for  some  time  closely  confined,  and  treated, 
not  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  but  as  a  deserter  from  the  Bri- 
tish service,  because  he  had  entered  the  American  service, 
before  his  resignation  of  his  commission  in  the  British 
army  had  been  accepted.  His  capture  was  considered  a 
great  misfortune  by  the  Americans,  whose  confidence  and 
esteem  he  enjoyed ;  the  British  on  the  contrary,  exulted 
in  his  capture,  as  equal  to  a  victory,  declaring  that  "  they 
had  taken  the  American  palladium."  Sullivan  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  of  Lee's  division,  and  joined  the 
main  army. 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESOOTT. 

In  the  month  of  November,  1776,  as  already  stated, 
Major  General  Lee  was  surprised  and  taken  prisoner  by 
a  detachment  of  British  troops.  With  a  view  to  procure 
the  exchange  of  General  Lee,  William  Barton,  then  a 
Major  in  the  Rhode  Island  line,  in  the  service  of  the  con- 
tinental Congress,  and  one  of  the  most  daring  and  patriotic 
soldiers  of  the  revolution,  projected  the  bold  and  adven- 
turous expedition  which  is  the  subject  of  the  following 
narrative. 

Some  months  bad  elapsed  after  the  capture  of  General 

(119) 


1 


120  CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT. 

Lee,  before  an  opportunity  offered  of  effecting  the  object 
which  Major  Barton  had  in  view.  In  the  month  follow- 
ing that  of  the  capture  of  General  Lee,  the  enemy  took 
possession  of  the  islands  of  Rhode  Island,  Cannonicut, 
and  Prudence.  Major  Barton  was  then  stationed  at  Ti- 
verton, and  for  some  months  anxiously  watched  the  mo- 
tions of  the  enemy,  with  but  feeble  prospect  of  obtaining 
the  opportunity  he  desired. 

At  length,  on  the  20th  of  June,  177T,  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Coffin,  who  made  his  escape  from  the  British, 
was  seized  by  some  of  the  American  troops  and  carried 
to  Major  Barton's  quarters.  Major  Barton  availed  him- 
self of  the  opportunity  to  inquire  respecting  the  disposition 
of  the  British  forces. — Coffin  on  examination,  stated  that 
Major  General  Richard  Prescott  had  established  his  head 
quarters  on  the  west  side  of  Rhode  Island,  and  described 
minutely  the  situation  of  the  house  in  which  he  resided, 
which  he  said  was  owned  by  a  Mr.  Pering.  His  account 
was  a  few  days  after  corroborated  by  a  deserter  from  the 
ranks  of  the  enemy.  Major  Barton  was  now  confirmed 
in  his  belief  of  the  practicability  of  effecting  his  favorite 
object : — but  serious  obstacles  were  first  to  be  encountered 
and  removed.  Neither  his  troops,  nor  their  commander, 
had  been  long  inured  to  service ;  and  the  intended  enter- 
prise was  of  a  nature  as  novel  as  it  was  hazardous.  Be- 
sides, Major  Barton  was  aware  that  the  undertaking, 


11 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT.  123 

should  it  prove  unsuccessful,  would  be  pronounced  rash 
and  unadvised,  and,  in  its  consequences,  though  his  life 
might  be  preserved,  be  followed  by  degradation  and  dis- 
grace.   Moreover,  to  involve  in  the  consequences  of  an 
enterprise,  devised  and  undertaken  without  previous  con- 
sultation with  his  superiors  in  rank,  the  interest,  and  per- 
haps the  lives  of  a  portion  of  his  brave  countrymen,  was  a 
subject  that  excited  reflections  calculated  to  damp  the 
ardor  and  appal  the  courage  of  the  bravest  minds.  Still, 
however^  upon  mature  reflection,  aided  by  a  consciousness 
that  its  only  motive  was  the  interest  of  his  country,  he 
resolved  to  hazard  both  his  reputation  and  his  life  in  the 
attempt. 

The  regiment  to  which  Major  Barton  was  attached, 
was  commanded  by  Colonel  Stanton,  a  respectable  and 
wealthy  farmer  in  Rhode  Island,  who,  in  the  spirit  of  the 
times,  had  abandoned  the  culture  of  his  farm  and  the  care 
of  his  family,  and  put  at  hazard  his  property  and  his  life 
in  defence  of  his  country.  To  this  gentleman.  Major 
Barton  communicated  his  plan,  and  solicited  permission 
to  carry  it  into  execution.  Colonel  Stanton  readily  au- 
thorized him  "  to  attack  the  enemy  when  and  where  he 
pleased."  Several  officers  in  the  confidence  of  Major 
Barton,  were  then  selected  from  the  regiment  for  the  in- 
tended expedition,  on  whose  abilities  and  bravery  he  could 
rely :  —these  were,  Captain  Samuel  Phillips,  Lieutenant 


124  CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT. 

Joshua  Babcock,  Ensign  Andrew  Stanton,  and  John  Wil 

cock.    (Captain  Adams  subsequently  volunteered  his 

services,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  enterprise.)  These 
gentlemen  were  informed  by  Major  Barton,  that  he  had 
in  contemplation  an  enterprise  which  would  be  attended 
with  great  personal  hazard  to  himself  and  his  associates ; 
but  which,  if  success  attended  it,  would  be  productive  of 
much  advantage  to  the  country.  Its  particular  object,  he 
stated  would  be  seasonably  disclosed  to  them.  It  was  at 
their  option  to  accept  or  decline  his  invitation  to  share 
with  him  in  the  dangers,  and,  as  he  trusted,  in  the  glory 
that  would  attend  the  undertaking.  The  personal  bravery 
of  Major  Barton  had  been  previously  tested  ;  and  such 
was  the  confidence  and  esteem  which  he  had  acquired 
among  the  officers  under  his  comniand,  that  without  in- 
sisting upon  a  previous  developement  of  his  plans,  his 
proposal  was  immediately  accepted.  Major  Barton  ex 
perienced  more  difficulty  in  obtaining  the  necessary 
number  of  boats,  as  there  were  but  two  boats  in  the  vici- 
nity. But  this  difficulty,  though  it  caused  a  few  days' 
delay,  was  at  length  obviated,  and  five  whale  boats  were 
procured  and  fitted  for  service.  Major  Barton  had  de- 
ferred procuring  the  necessary  number  of  men  until  the 
last  moment,  from  an  apprehension  that  their  earlier  se- 
lection might  excite  suspicion,  and  defeat  the  object  of 
their  enterprise.    Desirous  that  this  little  band  might  be 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT.  125 

composed  entirely  of  volunteers,  the  whole  regiment  was 
now  ordered  on  parade.  In  a  short,  but  animated  ad- 
dress, Major  Barton  informed  the  soldiers  that  he  pro- 
jected an  expedition  against  the  enemy,  which  could  be 
effected  only  by  the  heroism  and  bravery  of  those  who 
should  attend  him  ;  that  he  desired  the  voluntary  assist- 
ance of  about  forty  of  their  number,  and  directed  those 
"  who  would  hazard  their  lives  in  the  enterprise,  to  advance 
two  paces  in  front."  Without  one  exception,  or  a  mo- 
ment's hesitation,  the  whole  regiment  advanced.  Major 
Barton,  after  bestowing  upon  the  troops  the  applause 
they  merited,  and  stating  that  he  required  the  aid  of  but 
a  small  portion  of  their  number,  commenced  upon  the 
right,  and  passing  along  the  lines,  selected  from  the  regi- 
ment to  the  number  of  thirty-six,  those  who  united  to  bra- 
very and  discipline  a  competent  knowledge  of  seamanship, 
for  the  management  of  the  boats.  Having  thus  obtained 
an  adequate  number  of  officers  and  men,  and  every  thing 
being  ready,  the  party  on  the  4th  of  July,  1777,  embar- 
ked from  Tiverton  for  Bristol.  While  crossing  Mount 
Hope  Bay,  there  arose  a  severe  storm  of  thunder  and 
rain,  which  separated  three  boats  from  that  of  their  com- 
mander. The  boat  containing  Major  Barton,  and  one 
other,  arrived  at  Bristol  soon  after  midnight.  Major 
Barton  proceeded  to  the  quarters  of  the  commanding 
officer,  where  he  found  a  deserter  who  had  just  made  hia 


126  '^'^     CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT. 

escape  from  the  enemy  at  Rhode  Island.  From  this  man 
he  learned  that  there  had  been  no  alteration  for  the  last 
few  days  in  the  position  of  the  British. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  remaining  boats  having 
arrived,  Major  Barton,  with  his  officers,  went  to  Hog  Is- 
land, not  far  distant  from  Bristol,  and  within  view  of  the 
British  encampments  and  shipping.    It  was  at  this  place 
that  he  disclosed  to  his  officers  the  particular  object  of 
the  enterprise,  his  reasons  for  attempting  it,  and  the  part 
each  was  to  perform.    Upon  reconnoitering  the  position 
of  the  enemy,  it  was  thought  impracticable,  without  great 
hazard  of  capture,  to  proceed  directly  from  Bristol  to  the 
head  quarters  of  the  British  General.  It  was  determined, 
therefore,  to  make  Warwick  Neck,  a  place  opposite  to  the 
British  encampment,  but  at  a  greater  distance  than  Bristol, 
the  point  from  which  they  should  depart  immediately  for 
Rhode  Island.    The  closest  secresy  was  enjoined  upon 
his  officers  by  Major  Barton,  and  they  retured  to  Bristol. 
On  the  evening  of  the  6th,  about  nine  o'clock,  the  little 
squadron  again  sailed,  and  crossing  Narraganset  Bay, 
landed  on  Warwick  Neck.    On  the  7th,  the  wind  chang- 
ing to  E.  N.  E.  brought  on  a  storm,  and  retarded  their 
plan.    On  the  9th,  the  weather  being  pleasant,  it  was  de- 
termined to  embark  for  the  island.    The  boats  were  now 
numbered,  and  the  place  of  every  officer  and  soldier  as- 
signed.   At  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  Major  Barton 


CAPTUHE  OF  GEXERAL  PRESCOTT.  127 

assembled  his  little  party  around  him,  and  in  a  short  but 
spirited  address,  in  which  were  mingled  the  feelings  of 
the  soldier  and  the  man,  he  disclosed  to  them  the  object 
of  the  enterprise.  He  did  not  attempt  to  conceal  the 
danger  and  difficulties  that  would  inevitably  attend  the 
undertaking ;  nor  did  he  forget  to  remind  them,  that 
should  their  efforts  be  attended  with  success,  they  would 
be  entitled  to  and  would  receive,  the  grateful  acknow- 
ledgements of  their  country.  *'It  is  probable,"  said  he 
"  that  some  of  us  may  not  survive  the  daring  attempt ; 
but  I  ask  of  you  to  hazard  no  dangers  which  will  not 
be  shared  with  you  by  your  commander ;  and  I  pledge  to 
you  my  honor,  that  in  every  difficulty  and  danger  I  will 
take  the  lead."  He  received  the  immediate  and  unanimous 
assurance  of  the  whole  party,  that  they  would  follow 
wherever  their  commander  should  lead  them.  Major 
Barton  then  reminding  them  how  much  the  success  of  the 
enterprise  depended  upon  their  strict  attention  to  orders, 
directed  that  each  individual  should  confine  himself  to  his 
particular  seat  in  the  boat  assigned  him,  and  that  not  a 
syllable  should  be  uttered  by  any  one.  He  instructed 
them,  as  they  regarded  their  character  as  patriots  and 
soldiers,  that  in  the  hour  of  danger  they  should  be  firm, 
collected,  and  resolved  fearlessly  to  encounter  the  dangers 
and  difficulties  that  might  assail  them.  He  concluded  by 
offering  his  earnest  petition  to  the  Great  King  of  Armies, 


^128  CAPTURE  OF  GENER/ssL  PRESCOTT- 

that  he  would  smile  upon,  their  intended  enterpuj^  and 
crown  it  with  success.    The  whole  party  now  proceeded 
to  shore. — Major  Barton  had  reason  to  apprehend  that  he 
might  be  discovered  in  his  passage  from  the  main  to 
Ehode  Island,  by  some  of  the  ships  of  war  that  lay  at  a 
small  distance  from  shore.    He  therefore  directed  the 
commanding  officer  at  Warwick  Neck,  that  if  he  heard 
the  report  of  three  distinct  muskets,  to  send  boats  to  the 
north  end  of  Prudence  Island  to  his  aid.    The  whole  party 
now  took  possession  of  the  boats  in  the  manner  directed. 
That  which  contained  Major  Barton  was  posted  in  front, 
with  a  pole  about  ten  feet  long  fixed  in  her  stern,  to  the 
end  of  which  was  attached  a  handkerchief,  in  order  that 
his  boat  might  be  distinguished  from  the  others,  and  that 
none  might  go  before  it.    In  this  manner  they  proceeded 
between  the  Islands  of  Prudence  and  Patience,  in  order 
that  they  might  not  be  seen  by  the  shipping  of  the  enemy 
that  lay  off  against  Hope  Island.  While  passing  the  north 
end  of  Prudence  Island,  they  heard  from  the  sentinels  on 
board  the  shipping  of  the  enemy,  the  cry  of  ^' ail's  well." 
As  they  approached  the  shore  of  Rhode  Island,  a  noise 
like  the  running  of  horses  was  heard,  which  threw  a  mo- 
mentary consternation  over  the  minds  of  the  whole  party ; 
but  in  strict  conformity  to  the  orders  issued,  not  a  word 
was  spoken  by  any  one.    A  moment's  reflection  satisfied 
Major  Barton  of  the  utter  impossibility  that  his  designjc 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT.  131 

could  be  known  by  the  enemy,  and  he  pushed  boldly  for 
the  shore.  Apprehensive  that  if  discovered,  the  enemy 
might  attempt  to  cut  off  his  retreat,  Major  Barton  ordered 
one  man  to  remain  in  each  boat,  and  be  prepared  to  de- 
part at  a  moment's  warning.  The  remainder  of  the  party 
landed  without  delay.  The  reflections  of  Major  Barton 
at  this  interesting  moment,  were  of  a  nature  the  most 
painful.  The  lapse  of  a  few  hours  would  place  him  in  a 
situation  in  the  highest  degree  gratifying  to  his  ambition 
or  overwhelm  him  in  the  ruin  in  which  his  rashness  would 
involve  him.  In  the  solemn  silence  of  night,  and  on  the 
shores  of  the  enemy,  he  paused  a  moment  to  consider  a 
plan  which  had  been  projected  and  matured  amidst  the 
bustle  of  a  camp  and  in  a  place  of  safety.  The  night  wa3 
exceedingly  dark,  and  a  stranger  to  the  country,  his  sola 
reliance  upon  a  direct  and  rapid  movement  to  the  head 
quarters  of  a  British  General,  so  essential  to  success; 
rested  upon  the  imperfect  information  he  had  acquired 
from  deserters  from  the  enemy  !  Should  he  surprise  and 
secure  General  Prescott,  he  was  aware  of  the  difficulties 
that  would  attend  his  conveyance  to  the  boat ;  the  pro- 
bability of  an  early  and  fatal  discovery  of  his  designs  by 
the  troops  upon  the  island  ;  and  even  if  he  should  succeed 
in  reaching  the  boats,  it  was  by  no  means  improbable 
that  the  alarm  might  be  seasonably  given  to  the  shipping, 
to  prevent  his  retreat  to  the  main.    But  regardless  of  cir- 


132  CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT. 

cumstances,  which  even  then  would  have  afforded  an  apology 
for  a  hasty  retreat,  he  resolved  at  all  hazards  to  attempt 
the  accomplishment  of  his  designs. 

To  the  head  quarters  of  General  Prescott,  about  a  mile 
from  the  shore,  a  party  in  five  divisions  now  proceeded 
in  silence.  There  was  a  door  on  the  south,  the  east  and 
west  sides  of  the  house  in  which  he  resided.  The  first 
division  was  ordered  to  advance  upon  the  south  door,  the 
second  the  west,  and  the  third  the  east,  the  fourth  to 
guard  the  road,  and  the  fifth  to  act  on  emergencies.  In 
their  march,  they  passed  the  guard  house  of  the  enemy, 
on  their  left,  and  on  their  right  a  house  occupied  by  a 
company  of  cavalry,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  with  ex- 
pedition the  orders  of  the  General  to  remote  parts  of  the 
island.  On  arriving  at  the  head  quarters  of  the  enemy, 
as  the  gate  of  the  front  yard  was  opened,  they  were  chal- 
lenged by  a  sentinel  on  guard.  The  party  was  at  the 
distance  of  twenty-five  yards  from  the  sentinel,  but  a  row 
of  trees  partially  concealed  them  from  his  view,  and  pre- 
vented him  from  determining  their  number.  No  reply 
was  made  to  the  challenge  of  the  sentinel,  and  the  party 
proceeded  on  in  silence.  The  sentinel  again  demanded, 
"Who  comes  there." 

"Friends,"  replied  Barton. 

"Friends,"  says  the  sentinel,  "advance  and  give  tho 
countersign." 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT.  136 

Major  Barton  affecting  to  be  angry,  said  to  the  sentinel 
who  was  now  near  him,  Damn  you.  we  have  no  counter- 
gign — have  you  seen  any  rascals  to-night  ?"'  and  before 
the  sentinel  could  determine  the  character  of  those  v>-ho 
approached  him,  Major  Barton  had  seized  his  musket,  told 
him  he  was  a  prisoner,  and  threatened,  in  case  of  noise  or 
resistance,  to  put  him  to  instant  death.  The  poor  fellow 
was  so  terrified,  that  upon  being  demanded  if  his  General 
was  in  the  house,  he  was  for  some  time  unable  to  give  an 
answer.  At  length  in  a  faltering  voice,  he  replied  that 
he  was.  By  this  time  each  division  having  taken  its  sta- 
tion, the  south  door  was  burst  open  by  the  direction  of 
Major  Barton,  and  the  division  there  stationed,  with  their 
commander  at  their  head,  rushed  into  the  head  quajters 
of  the  General.  At  this  critical  moment,  one  of  the  Bri- 
tish soldiers  effected  his  escape,  and  fled  to  the  quarters 
of  the  main  suard.  This  man  had  no  article  of  clothing^ 
upon  him  but  a  shirt :  and  having  given  the  alarm  to  the 
sentinel  on  duty,  passed  on  to  the  quarters  of  the  cavalry, 
which  was  more  remote  from  the  head  quarters  of  the 
General.  The  sentinel  roused  the  main  guard  who  were 
instantly  in  arms,  and  demanded  the  cause  of  alarm.  He 
stated  the  information  which  had  been  given  him  by  the 
soldier,  which  appeared  so  incredible  to  the  sergeant  ot 
the  guard  that  he  insisted  that  he  had  seen  a  ghost.  Tho 
sentinel,  to  whom  to  whom  the  account  of  the  General's 


136 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT. 


capture  appeared  quite  as  incredible  as  to  his  commanding 
officer,  admitted  that  the  messenger  was  clothed  in  white  ; 
and  after  submitting  to  the  jokes  of  his  companions,  as  a 
punishment  for  his  credulity,  was  ordered  to  resume  his 
station,  while  the  remainder  of  the  guard  retired  to  their 
quarters.  It  was  fortunate  for  Major  Barton  and  his 
brave  followers,  that  the  alarm  given  by  the  soldier  was 
considered  groundless.  Had  the  main  guard  proceeded 
without  delay  to  the  relief  of  their  commanding  General, 
his  rescue  certainly,  and  probably  the  destruction  of  the 
party,  would  have  been  the  consequence. 

The  first  room  Major  Barton  entered  was  occupied  by 
Mr.  Bering,  who  positively  denied  that  General  Brescott 
was  in  the  house.  He  next  entered  the  room  of  his  son, 
who  was  equally  obstinate  with  his  father  in  denying  that 
the  General  was  there.  Major  Barton  then  proceeded  to 
other  apartments,  but  was  still  disappointed  in  the  object 
of  his  search.  Aware  that  a  longer  delay  might  defeat 
the  object  of  his  enterprise.  Major  Barton  resorted  to 
stratagem  to  facilitate  his  search.  Blacing  himself  at  the 
head  of  the  stairway,  and  declaring  his  resolution  to  Se- 
cure the  General  dead  or  alive,  he  ordered  his  soldiers  to 
set  fire  to  the  house. — The  soldiers  were  preparing  to  ex- 
ecute his  orders,  when  a  voice,  which  Major  Barton  at 
once  suspected  to  be  the  General's,  demanded  what's  the 
matter  ?    Major  Barton  rushed  to  the  apartment  from 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT.  139 


"whence  the  noise  proceeded,  and  discovered  an  elderly 
man  just  rising  from  his  bed,  and  clapping  his  hand  upon 
his  shoulder,  demanded  of  him  if  he  was  not  General 
Prescott, 

He  answered  "  Yes,  sir." 

"You  are  my  prisoner,  then,"  said  Major  Barton. 

"I  acknowledge  that  I  am,"  said  the  General. 

In  a  moment.  General  Prescott  found  himself  half 
dressed,  in  the  arms  of  the  soldiers,  who  hurried  him  from 
the  house.  In  the  mean  time  Major  Barrington,  the  Aid 
to  General  Prescott,  discovering  that  the  house  was  at- 
tacked by  the  Bebels,  as  he  termed  them,  leaped  from  the 
window  of  his  bed-chamber,  and  was  immediately  secured 
a  prisoner.  General  Prescott,  supported  by  Major  Barton 
and  one  of  his  officers,  and  attended  by  Major  Barrington 
and  the  sentinel,  proceeded,  surrounded  by  the  soldiery, 
to  the  shore.  Upon  seeing  the  five  little  boats.  General 
Prescott,  who  knew  the  position  of  the  British  shipping, 
appeared  much  confused,  and  turning  to  Major  Barton, 
inquired  if  he  commanded  the  party.  On  being  informed 
that  he  did,  he  expressed  a  hope  that  no  personal  injury 
was  intended  him ;  and  Major  Barton  assured  the  General 
of  his  protection,  while  he  remained  under  his  control. 

The  General  had  travelled  from  head  quarters  to  the 
shore  in  his  waistcoat,  small-clothes  and  slippers.  A  mo- 
ment was  now  allowed  him  to  complete  his  dress,  while 


140 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT. 


the  party  were  taking  possession  of  tlie  boats.  The  Ge- 
neral was  placed  in  the  boat  with  Major  Barton,  and  they 
proceeded  for  the  main. 

'  They  had  not  got  far  from  the  island,  when  the  dis- 
charge of  cannon  and  three  sky-rockets  gave  the  signal 
for  alarm.  It  was  fortunate  for  the  party  that  the  enemy 
on  board  the  shipping  were  ignorant  of  the  cause  of  it, 
who  might  have  easily  cut  off  their  retreat.  The  signal 
of  alarm  excited  the  apprehensions  of  Major  Barton  and 
his  brave  associates,  and  redoubled  their  exertions  to 
reach  the  point  of  their  destination  before  they  could  be 
discovered.  They  succeeded,  and  soon  after  day-break 
l9,nded  at  Warwick  Neck,  near  the  point  of  their  depar- 
ture, after  an  absence  of  six  hours  and  a  half. 

General  Prescott  turned  toward  the  island,  and  observ- 
ing the  ships  of  war,  remarked  to  Major  Barton,  "  Sir, 
you  have  made  a  bold  push  to-night." 

"We  have  been  fortunate,"  replied  the  hero. 

An  express  was  immediately  sent  forward  to  Major- 
General  Spencer,  to  convey  General  Prescott  and  his  aid- 
de-camp  prisoners  to  Providence.  They  were  accompanied 
by  Major  Barton,  who  related  to  General  Spencer,  on 
their  arrival,  the  particulars  of  the  enterprise,  and  received 
from  that  officer  the  most  grateful  acknowledgements  for 
the  signal  service  he  had  rendered  to  his  country. 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT.  141 

This  adventure  of  Major  Barton  was  well  conceived  and 
most  gallantly  executed.  General  Prescott  however  ap- 
pears to  have  been  a  prize  of  no  great  value.  His  name 
was  not  signalized  in  history  and  the  anecdote  which  fol- 
lows shows  that  he  did  not  even  possess  the  character  of  a 
gentleman. 


GENERAL  PRESCOTT  WHIPPED. 

The  British  General  Prescott,  who  was  captured  at 
his  quarters  on  Rhode  Island  hj  Colonel  Barton,  being 
on  his  route  through  the  State  of  Connecticut,  called  at  a 
tavern  to  dine.  The  landlady  furnished  the  table  with  a 
dish  of  suckatash,  boiled  corn  and  beans.  The  General 
being  unaccustomed  to  such  kind  of  food,  with  much 
warmth  exclaimed,  "  What !  do  you  treat  us  with  the  food 
of  hogs?"  and,  taking  the  dish  from  the  table,  strewed 
the  contents  over  the  floor.  The  landlord  being  informed 
of  this,  soon  entered,  and  with  his  horse  whip,  gave  the 
General  a  severe  chastisement.  The  sequel  of  this  story 
has  been  communicated  by  a  gentleman  at  Nantucket, 
(142) 


GENERAL  PRESCOTT  HORSEWHIPPED.  145 


who  retains  a  perfect  recollection  of  all  the  circumstances. 
After  General  Prescott  was  exchanged  and  restored  to  his 
command  on  the  Island,  the  Indians  of  Nantucket  deputed 
William  Rotch,  Doctor  Tupper,  and  Timothy  Folger  to  ne- 
gotiate some  concerns  with  him  in  behalf  of  the  town. 
They  were  for  some  time  refused  admittance  to  his  presence, 
but  the  doctor  and  Folger  overcame  the  opposition,  and 
ushered  themselves  into  the  room.  Prescott  raged  and 
stormed  with  great  vehemence,  until  Folger  was  compelled 
to  withdraw.  After  the  Doctor  announced  his  business,  and 
the  General  became  a  little  calm,  he  said,  Was  not  my 
treatment  to  Folger  very  uncivil 
The  Doctor  said  yes. 

Then  said  Prescott,  "I  will  tell  you  the  reason:  He 
looked  so  much  like  a  Connecticut  man,  that  horse-whipped 
me,  ^hat  I  could  not  endure  his  presence." 


f  'V  BATTLE  GROUND  OF  TRENTON. 

.»;,  ■■■■ 

BATTLE  OF  TRENTON. 

Washington  divided  Iiis  troops  into  three  parts,  wuich 
were  to  assemble  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  on  the 
night  of  the  25th  of  December.  One  of  these  divisions  led 
by  General  Irvine,  was  directed  to  cross  the  Delaware  at 
the  Trenton  Ferrj,  and  secure  the  bridge  below  the  town, 
80  as  to  prevent  the  escape  of  any  part  of  the  enemy  by 
that  road.  Another  Division,  led  by  General  Cadwalader, 
Tvas  to  cross  over  at  Bristol,  and  carry  the  post  at  Bur- 
lington. The  third,  which  was  the  principal  division,  and 
eonsisted  of  about  two  thousand  four  hundi3d  troops,  com- 
(116) 


BATTLE  OF  TREXTON. 


149 


manded  by  General  WasKington  in  person  was  to  cross  at 
M'Konkey's  Ferry,  about  nine  miles  above  Trenton,  and 
to  march  against  the  enemy  posted  at  that  town.  The 
night  fixed  on  for  the  enterprise  was  severely  cold.  A 
storm  of  snow,  mingled  with  hail  and  rain,  fell  in  great 
quantities  ;  and  so  much'  ice  was  made  in  the  river,  that 
the  artillery  could  not  be  got  over  until  three  o'clock ; 
and  before  the  troops  could  take  up  their  line  of  march,  it 
was  nearly  four.    The  general,  who  had  hopod  to  throw 
them  all  over  by  twelve  o'clock,  now  despaired  of  surpri- 
sing the  town ;  but  knowing  that  he  could  not  repass  the 
river  without  being  discovered  and   harassed,  he  deter- 
mined, at  all  events,  to  push  forward.    He  accordingly 
formed  his  detachment  into  two  divisions.    One  of  which 
was  to  march  by  the  lower  or  river  road,  the  other,  by  the 

upper  or  Pennington  road. 

13* 


9 


15.0  BATTLE  OF  TRENTON. 

As  the  distance  to  Trenton  by  these  two  roads  was 
nearly  the  same  time,  he  ordered  each  of  them,  immediately 
on  forcing  the  out  guards,  to  push  directly  into  the  town, 
that  they  mi^ht  charge  the  enemy  before  they  had  time 
to  form.  The  upper  division,  accompanied  by  the  Gene- 
ral himself,  arrived  at  the  enemy's  adanced  post  exactly 
at  eight  o'clock,  and  immediately  drove  in  the  outguardi?. 
In  three  minutes,  a  firing  from  the  division  that  had  taken 
the  river  road,  gave  notice  to  the  general  of  its  arrival. 

Colonel  Rahi,  a  very  gallant  Hessian  officer  who  com- 
manded in  Trenton,  soon  formed  his  main  body  to  meet 
the  assailants  ;  but  at  the  commencement  of  the  action  he 
received  a  mortal  wound.  His  troops,  at  once  confused 
and  hard  pressed,  and  having  already  lost  their  artillery, 
attempted  to  file  ofi"  by  a  road  on  the  right  leading  to  Prince- 
ton ;  but  General  Washington,  perceiving  their  intention, 
threw  a  body  of  troops  in  their  front,  which  intercepted 
and  assailed  them.  Finding  themselves  surrounded,  they 
laid  down  their  arms.  About  twenty  of  the  enemy  were 
killed  and  nine  hundred  and  nine,  including  officers,  sur- 
rendered themselves  prisoners  of  war. 

The  number  of  prisoners  was  soon  increased  to  about 
one  thousand  by  the  addition  of  those  who  were  concealed 
in  houses.  Six  field  pieces,  and  one  thousand  stand  of 
small  arms,  were  also  taken.  Of  the  Americans,  two  pri- 
vates were  wounded.    General  Irvine  being  prevented  by 


GENERAL  CADWALADER.  152 


THE  BATTLE  OF  TRENTON. 


153 


the  ice  from  crossing  the  Delaware,  the  lower  road  towards 
Bordentown  remained  open ;  and  about  five  hundred  of 
the  enemj,  stationed  in  the  lower  end  of  Trenton,  cross- 
ing over  the  bridge  in  the  commencement  of  the  action, 
marched  down  the  river  to  Bordentown.  General  Cad- 
walader  was  prevented  from  the  Same  cause  from  attack- 
ing the  post  at  Burlington.  This  well-judged  and  suc- 
cessful enterprise  revived  the  depressed  spirits  of  the  colo- 
nists, and  produced  an  immediate  and  happy  effect  in  re- 
cruiting the  American  army. 


MONUMENT  TO  GENERAL  MERCER,  AT  LAUREL  HILL 
CEMETERY. 

BATTLE  OF  PRINCETON. 

The  situation  of  general  Washington  was,  now,  again 
extremely  critical.  If  he  staid  in  his  present  position,  it 
was  certain  he  would  be  attacked,  next  morning,  by  a 
force,  in  all  respects,  superior  to  his  own  ;  and  the  result 
would  most  probably,  be  the  destruction  of  his  little  army. 
If  he  attempted  to  retreat  over  th&  Delaware,  now  covered 
(154) 


BATTLE  OP  PRINCETON.  157 

with  ice,  which,  in  consequence  of  a  few  mild  and  foggy 
days,  was  not  firm  enough  to  march  upon,  a  considerable 
loss  perhaps  a  total  defeat,  would  be  sustained.  In  any 
event,  the  Jerseys  would  once  more  be  entirely  in  posses- 
sion of  the  enemy ;  the  public  mind  would  again  be  de- 
pressed, recruiting  be  discouraged  by  his  apparent  infe- 
riority ;  and  Philadelphia  would  be  a  second  time  in  the 
hands  of  General  Howe.  It  was  obvious,  that  the  one 
event  or  the  other  would  deduct  greatly  from  the  advan- 
tages promised  by  his  late  success  ;  and,  if  it  should  not 
render  the  American  cause,  absolutely  desperate,  would 
very  essentially  injure  it. 

In  this  state  of  things,  he  formed  the  bold  and  judicious 
design  of  abandoning  the  Delaware,  and  marching  silently 
in  the  night  by  a  circuitous  route,  along  the  left  flank  of 
the  British  army,  into  their  rear  at  Princeton,  where  he 
knew  they  could  not  be  very  strong.  After  beating  them 
there,  he  proposed  to  make  a  rapid  movement  to  Bruns- 
wick, where  their  baggage  and  principal  magazines  lay, 
under  a  weak  guard. 

A  council  of  war  having  approved  this  plan,  preparations 

were  immediately  made  for  its  execution.    As  soon  as  it 

was  dark,  the  baggage  was  removed  silently  to  Burlington  ; 

and  about  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  third,  after 

renewing  their  fires,  and  leaving  their  guards  at  the  bridge 

and  the  other  passes  over  the  creek,  the  army  decamped 

14 


158       ...  :    BATTLE  OF  PRINCETON. 

with  perfect  secresj,  taking  the  Quaker  road  to  Princeton. 
Here,  three  British  regiments  had  encamped  the  preceding 
'  night,  two  of  which  commenced  their  march  early  in  the 
morning  to  join  the  rear  of  their  army  at  Maidenhead. 
About  sunrise,  when  they  had  proceeded  about  two  miles, 
they  saw  the  Americans  advancing  on  the  left,  in  a  direc- 
tion which  would  enter  the  road  in  their  rear.  They  im= 
mediately  faced  about,  and,  repassing  Stonybrook,  moved 
under  cover  of  a  copse  of  woods  towards  the  Americans, 
whose  van  was  conducted  by  General  Mercer.  A  sharp 
action  ensued,  which,  however,  was  not  of  long  duration. 

The  militia,  of  which  the  advanced  party  was  principally 
composed,  soon  gave  way,  and  the  few  regulars  attached 
to  them  were  not  strong  enough  to  maintain  their  ground. 
While  gallantly  exerting  himself  to  rally  his  broken  troops, 
General  Mercer  was  mortally  wounded,  and  the  van  was  en- 
tirely routed.  But  the  fortune  of  the  day  was  soon 
changed.  The  main  body  of  the  army,  led  by  General 
Washington  in  person,  followed  close  in  the  rear,  and 
attacked  the  enemy  with  great  spirit.  Persuaded  that 
defeat  would  irretrievably  ruin  the  affairs  of  America,  he 
advanced  in  the  very  front  of  the  battle,  and  exposed  him- 
self to  the  very  hottest  fire  of  the  enemy.  He  was  so  well 
supported  by  the  same  troops  who,  a  few  days  before,  had 
served  at  Trenton,  that  the  British,  in  turn,  were  compel- 
led to  give  way. 


BATTLE  OF  PRINCETON. 


161 


THE  HOUSE  IN  WHICH  GENERAL  MERCER  DIED. 


Their  line  was  broken,  and  the  two  regiments  separated 
from  each  other.    Colonel  Mawhood,  who  commanded 
that  in  front,  and  who,  being,  therefore,  on  the  right,  was 
nearest  the  rear  division  of  the  army  under  Lord  Corn- 
wallis,  retired  to  the  main  road  and  continued  his  route  to 
Maidenhead.    The  fifty-fifth  regiment,  which  was  on  the 
British  left,  being  hard  pressed,  fled  in 'confusion,  across 
the  fields  and  great  road,  into  a  back  road  leading  between 
Hillsborough  and  Kingston  towards  Brunswick.  The 
vicinity  of  the  British  forces  at  Maidenhead,  secured  Colo- 
nel Mawhood  from  pursuit,  and  general  Washington  pressed 
forward  to  Princeton.    The  regiment  remaining  in  that 
place  took  post  in  the  college,  and  made  some  show  of  re- 
sistance ;  but  the  artillery  being  brought  up,  it  was  abau- 

14* 


162  BATTLE  OF  PRINCETON. 

doned,  and  the  greater  part  of  them  were  made  prisoners. 
Some  few  saved  themselves  by  a  precipitate  retreat  to 
Brunswick. 

In  this  action,  upwards  of  one  hundred  of  the  British 
Were  killed,  and  near  three  hundred  were  taken  prisoners. 
The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  killed  were  somewhat  less, 
but  in  this  number  was  included  General  Mercer,  a  very 
valuable  officer  from  Viginia,  who  had  served  with  the 
commander-in-chief  in  the  war  against  the  French  and 
Indians,  which  terminated  in  1763,  and  was  greatly  es- 
teemed by  him.  Colonels  Haslett  and  Potter,  brave  and 
excellent  officers  from  Delaware  and  Pennsylvania ;  Cap- 
tain Neal  of  the  artillery,  Captain  Fleming,  who  on  that 
day  commanded  the  seventh  Virginia  regiment,  and  five 
other  valuable  officers,  were  also  among  the  slain. 

On  the  appearance  of  daylight.  Lord  Cornwallis  disco- 
vered that  the  American  army  had  moved  off  in  the  night, 
and  immediately  conceived  the  plan  of  Washington.  He 
was  under  extreme  apprehension  for  Brunswick,  where 
were  magazines  of  great  value,  with  the  military  chest  con- 
taining about  seventy  thousand  pounds.  Breaking  up  his 
camp,  he  commenced  a  rapid  march  to  that  place,  for  the 
prpose  of  affording  it  protection;  and  was  close  in  the 
rear  of  the  American  army  before  it  could  leave  Princeton. 
But  Washington  with  his  almost  exhausted  army  reached 
Pluckemin  in  safety,  gave  his  men  rest  and  refreshment, 


BATTLE  OF  PRIXCETOX.  163 

and  then  proceeded  to  Morristown.  where  he  established 
his  winter  quarters.  Unprovided  as  his  men  were  with  the 
necessaries  for  a  winter  campaign,  he  did  not  remain 
idle,  but  sent  out  detachments  to  assail  and  harass  the 
enemy.  In  a  short  time  with  the  aid  of  the  militia  of  the 
country,  he  completely  drove  the  British  from  all  their 
posts  except  Brunswick  and  Amboy.  Such  were  the 
results  of  the  skill,  and  vigilance,  and  consummate  Gene- 
ralship of  Washington.  The  brilliant  termination  of  a 
campaign  which  had  been  considered  disastrous  and 
hopeless  by  the  patriots,  breathed  new  life  into  them  and 
raised  their  confidence  in  the  ability  of  the  commander- 
in-chief. 


READING  THE  DECLARATION   OF  IXDEPEXDENCE  TO  THE 
ARMY. 


GENERAL  LA  FAYETTE. 

Shortly  after  the  commencement  of  the  campaign  of 
1777,  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette  arrived  on  our  shores. 
He  will,  and  ever  must  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
noble  and  disinterested  persons  whose  names  adorn  the 
pages  of  history.  Out  of  pure  love  for  the  cause  of  liberty 
in  which  the  United  States  were  engaged,  he  forsook  all 
the  comforts  and  endearments  of  home,  giving  no  thought 
to  the  brilliant  destinies  which  awaited  him  as  one  of  the 
first  nobles  of  France, ''to  plunge  in  the  blood  and  dust 
of  our  inauspicious  struggle." 
(164) 


GENERAL  LA  FAYETTE,  165 

In  1776,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  communicated  his 
intention  to  the  American  commissioners  at  Paris,  who 
failed  not  to  encourage  it,  rightly  concluding  that  the  eclat 
of  his  departure  would  be  serviceable  to  their  cause. 
Events,  however,  occurred  which  would  have  deterred  from 
the  undertaking  a  person  less  decided  than  the  Marquis. 
News  was  received  in  Trance,  that  the  American  army, 
reduced  to  two  thousand  men,  had  fled  towards  Philadel- 
phia through  the  Jerseys,  before  thirty  thousand  British 
troops. 

This  news  so  effectually  extinguished  the  little  credit 
heretofore  enjoyed  by  America  in  Europe,  that  a  vessel 
could  not  be  procured  by  the  commissioners  to  forward 
this  nobleman's  project. 

It  was  thought  by  them  to  be  theijr  duty,  under  these 
circumstances,  to  discourage  his  project,  until  a  change 
in  the  condition  of  American  affairs  would  render  it  less 
hazardous.  It  was  in  vain,  however,  that  they  acted  so 
candid  a  part.  The  flame  which  had  been  kindled  in  his 
breast  by  the  American  sons  of  liberty  could  not  be 
smothered  by  their  misfortunes.  "  Hitherto,"  said  he,  in 
an  interview  with  Dr.  Franklin,  in  the  true  spirit  of  he- 
roism, "  I  have  only  cherished  your  cause ;  now  I  am  going 
to  serve  it.  The  lower  it  is  in  the  opinion  of  the  people, 
the  greater  effect  my  departure  will  have ;  and,  since  you 
cannot  get  a  vessel,  I  shall  procure  and  fit  out  one,  to 


166 


GENERAL  LA  FAYETTE. 


carry  your  despatches  to  Congress,  and  me  to  America. 
He  accordingly  fitted  out  a  vessel,  and  meanwhile  made 
a  visit  to  Great  Britain,  that  the  part  he  was  about  to  act 
might  be  rendered  the  more  conspicuous. 

The  French  court,  could  not  overlook  his  conduct, 
whatever  their  good  wishes  were  towards  America.  Ho 
was  overtaken  by  an  order,  forbidding  him  to  proceed  to 
America,  and  vessels  were  despatched  to  the  West  Indies, 
in  case  he  was  found  in  that  quarter,  to  have  him  confined. 
He  acknowledged  receipt  of  the  order,  but  did  not  obey 
it ;  and,  keeping  clear  of  the  West  Indies,  he  arrived  at 
Charleston,  in  the  spring  of  1777,  and  repaired  immedi- 
ately to  the  seat  of  war. 

Washington  received  him  with  open  arms,  and  Congress 
immediately  appointed  him  a  Major-General.  His  example 
was  followed  by  many  French  officers ;  and  it  was  chiefly 
by  his  efibrts,  backed  by  those  of  Dr.  Franklin,  and  tho 
other  American  commissioners  at  Paris,  that  the  treaty 
of  alliance  and  mutual  defence  between  the  United  States 
and  France,  was  afterwards  concluded. 

La  Fayette  served  throughout  the  remainder  of  the  re- 
volutionary war,  and  rendered  military  services  scarcely 
less  important  to  the  country  than  his  able  and  influen- 
tial diplomacy  in  the  matter  of  the  alliance  with  France. 
His  generosity  in  clothing  the  soldiers  for  the  Virginia 
campaign,  and  his  able  conduct  and  intrepidity  in  the  en- 


GENEKAL  LA  FAYETTE.  169 

counters  with  the  British  which  preceded  the  surrender 
of  Cornwallis  were  of  inestimable  value  to  the  cause. 
When  in  old  age  he  returned  to  the  United  States  his 
visit  was  a  continuous  triumphal  progress;  and  Congress 
acknowledged  his  seryices  by  a  liberal  grant  of  money  and 
land. 


WASHINGTON. 


BATTLE  OF  BRANDYWINE. 

After  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton,  Washing, 
ton  passed  the  winter  of  1776-7  in  expelling  the  British 
from  most  of  their  posts  in  New  Jersey.  During  the 
greater  part  of  this  time,  his  head  quarters  were  at 
Morristown.  The  spring  was  passed  in  vain  endeav#rs  on 
the  part  of  Sir  William  Howe,  to  bring  on  a  general  en 
gagement,  and  in  June  he  gave  up  the  attempt  and  with- 
drew his  army  from  New  Jersey  to  Staten  Island.  His 
object  was  now  to  gain  possession  of  Philadelphia*  Ac- 
(170) 


BATTLE  OF  BRANDYWINE. 


171 


cordingly,  after  keeping  the  American  General  in  long  and 
perplexing  suspense  concerning  his  intended  operations, 
he  at  length  sailed  from  Sandy  Hook  with  about  sixteen 
thousand  men;  entered  Chesapeake  Bay;  and  on  the 
24th  of  August  arrived  at  the  head  of  Elk  river.  Gene- 
rals Grant  and  Knyphausen  having  joined  him  on  the  8th 
of  September  with  the  troops  under  their  command,  the 
whole  army  moved  onward  in  two  columns  toward  Phila- 
delphia, the  possession  of  which  was  now  discovered  to  be 
the  object  of  the  British  Commander.  General  Washing- 
ton, who  regulated  his  movements  by  those  of  the  enemy, 
had  by  this  time,  with  the  whole  American  army,  except- 
ing the  light  infantry,  which  remained  on  the  lines,  taken 
a  position  behind  Red  Clay  Creek,  on  the  road  leading 
directly  from  the  enemy's  camp  to  Philadelphia.  The 
British  boldly  advanced  until  they  were  within  two  miles 
of  the  Americans. 

General  Washington,  on  reconnoitering  their  situation, 
apprehending  their  object  to  be  to  turn  his  right,  and, 
suddenly  crossing  the  Brandywine,  to  seize  the  heights  on 
the  north  side  of  that  river  and  cut  off  his  communication 
with  Philadelphia,  changed  his  position  early  in  the  night 
of  the  8th  of  September,  crossed  the  Brandywine,  and  the 
next  morning  took  post  behind  that  river,  on  the  height 
near  Chadd's  Ford. 

At  daybreak  on  the  morning  of  the  eleventh,  the  royal 


172 


BATTLE  OF  BRANDYWINE. 


Washington's  head  quarters  at  morristown. 


army  advanced  in  two  columns,  the  one  commanded  hy 
Lieutenant-General  Knypliausen,  and  the  other  by  Lord 
Cornwallis.  While  the  first  column  took  the  direct  road 
to  Chadd's  Ford,  and  made  a  show  of  passing  it  in  front 
of  the  main  body  of  the  Americans,  the  other  moved  up 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Brandywine  to  its  fork,  crossed 
both  its  branches  about  two  in  the  afternoon,  and  marched 
down  on  its  eastern  side  with  a  view  of  turning  the  right 
wing  of  their  adversaries. 

General  Washington,  on  receiving  intelligence  of  their 
approach,  made  the  proper  disposition  to  receive  them. 
The  divisions  commanded  by  Sullivan,  Stirling,  and  Ste- 
phen, advanced  a  little  farther  up  the  Brandywine,  and 


15* 


BATTLE  OF  BRANDYWINE.  175 

fronted  the  column  of  the  approaching  enemy ;  Wayne's 
division,  with  Maxwell's  light  infantry,  remained  at  Chadd's 
Ford,  to  keep  Knyphausen  in  check ;  Green's  division, 
accompanied  by  General  Washington,  formed  a  reserve, 
and  took  a  central  position  between  the  right  and  left 
wings. 

The  divisions  detached  against  Cornwallis  took  posses- 
.sion  of  the  heights  above  Birmingham  church,  their  left 
reaching  toward  the  Brandy  wine  ;  the  artillery  was  judi- 
ciously placed,  and.  their  flanks  were  covered  by  woods. 
About  four  o'clock,  Lord  Cornwallis  formed  the  line  of 
battle,  and  began  the  attack. 

The  Americans  sustained  it  some  time  with  intrepidity ; 
but  their  right  at  length  giving  way,  the  remaining  divi- 
sions, exposed  to  a  galling  fire  on  the  flank,  continued  to 
break  on  the  right,  and  the  whole  line  was  soon  completely 
routed.  As  soon  as  Cornwallis  had  commenced  his  attack, 
Knyphausen  crossed  the  ford,  and  attacked  the  troops 
posted  for  its  defence ;  which,  after  a  severe  conflict,  were 
compelled  to  give  way. 

The  retreat  of  the  Americans,  which  soon  became  ge- 
neral, was  continued  that  night  to  Chester,  and  the  next 
day  to  Philadelphia.  The  loss,  sustained  by  the  Ameri- 
cans in  this  action,  is  estimated  at  three  hundred  killed, 
and  six  hundred  wounded.  Between  three  and  four  hun- 
dred, principally  the  wounded,  were  made  prisoners.  The 


176 


BATTLE  OF  BRANDYWINE. 


loss  of  the  British  was  stated  to  be  rather  less  than  one 
hundred  killed,  and  four  hundred  wounded. 

As  the  British  were  advancing  towards  Goshen  to  gain 
the  Lancaster  road,  dispositions  were  again  made  for  battle, 
on  the  16th,  by  both  armies ;  but  a  heavy  rain  separated 
the  advanced  parties,  which  had  begun  to  skirmish,  and 
its  increasing  violence  soon  obliged  the  Americans  to 
retreat.  " 

General  "Washington  on  the  19th  crossed  the  Schuylkill, 
and  encamped  on  the  eastern  banks  of  that  river;  while 
detachments  of  his  army  were  posted  at  the  several  fordSj 
over  which  the  enemy  would  probably  attempt  to  force  a 
passage.  In  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  La  Fayette  first 
drew  his  sword  in  our  cause ;  and  during  the  action  he 
was  severely  wounded.         ;  / 


A  COUNCIL  OP  OmCERS. 


BATTLE  OF  GERMANTOWN. 

Washingtox  while  encamped  fourteen  miles  from  Ger- 
manto^vn,  conceived  the  design  of  attacking  the  British 
stationed  at  that  place.  The  4th  of  October  was  fixed 
for  the  execution  of  the  plan. 

Sir  William  Howe,  desirous  of  having  a  free  communi- 
cation with  the  fleet  in  the  Delaware  river,  employed  his 
army  in  removing  the  obstructions  in  the  river,  which  the 
Americans  had  been  at  great  pains  to  construct,  and 
which  were  defended  by  floating  batteries,  armed  vessels, 
and  fire  ships.    The  army  at  Germantown  was  of  neces- 

(177) 


178  BATTLE  OF  GERMANTOWN. 

sity  weakened,  by  the  number  engaged  in  the  removal  of 
these  obstructions;  and  Washington,  whose  forces  had 
been  increased  to  eleven  thousand  men,  determined  to 
attack  them  by  surprise. 

He  moved  from  his  encampment  on  the  3d  of  October, 
with  twenty-five  hundred  chosen  men,  and  commenced  the 
attack  early  on  the  morning  of  the  4th.  The  advanced 
guards  were  soon  driven  in ;  but  one  circumstance  defeated 
the  whole  enterprise.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Musgrave,  with 
five  companies,  took  possession  of  Mr.  Chew's  large  stone 
mansion,  and  kept  up  such  a  galling  fire,  that  although 
nearly  half  the  American  army,  were  engaged  in  attempt- 
ing to  dislodge  them,  all  their  efforts  were  vain.  A  thick 
fog  rendered  the  morning  so  dark,  that  it  became  almost 
impossible  to  distinguish  friend  or  foe. 

Washington  was  at  length  obliged  to  order  a  retreat  in 
order  to  save  his  army.  The  fog  now  proved  of '  some 
benefit,  and  the  army  retreated  under  cover  of  a  battery, 
suddenly  and  opportunely  furnished  by  General  Wayne, 
on  an  eminence  near  White  Marsh  church.  Many  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  British,  being  unable  to  unite  with 
their  parties,  which  accounts  for  the  large  number  of 
prisoners,  four  hundred.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  be- 
sides, was  about  two  hundred  killed,  and  three  hundred 
wounded.  That  of  the  British  was  stated  by  them  to  he 
near  six  hundred  killed  and  wounded. 


BATTLE  OF  GERMAXTOWN. 


181 


GENERAL  KNOX. 


The  effect  of  this  battle  was  to  render  Howe  more  cau- 
tious, as  he  was  aware  he  had  one  to  deal  with  who  was 
every  way  his  equal.  His  army  was  placed  nearer  Phil- 
adelphia, whilst  Washington  resumed  his  former  positiou 
on  Skippack  Creek,  twenty  miles  from  Philadelphia. 

The  plan  of  attack  at  Germantown  had  been  determined 
by  a  council  of  officers  called  by  Washington ;  and  the  sur- 
prise of  the  British  army  would  have  been  complete,  but 
for  the  unforeseen  delay  at  Chew's  House.    If  the  opinion 

of  General  Reed  had  prevailed,  this  long  delay  would 

16 


182 


BATTLE  OF  GERMANTOWN. 


not  have  happened.  He  proposed  to  continue  the  pursuit 
of  the  remainder  of  the  enemy,  who  were  in  great  confu- 
sion ;  and  turning  their  faces  to  Philadelphia ;  but  General 
Knox  of  the  artillery,  opposed  the  suggestion  as  being 
against  all  military  rule  "  to  leave  an  enemy  in  a  fort  in 
the  rear.'*  "  « 

"What,"  exclaimed  Reed,  "call  this  a  fort,  and  lose 
the  happy  moment?" 

Knox's  opinion  prevailed ;  the  pursuit  was  abandoned, 
and  a  failure  ensued,  where  a  victory  had  been  nearly 
certain. 


# 


'It. 


BATTLE  OF  RED  BANK. 

The  upper  line  of  obstructions  which  prevented  the 
British  ships  from  ascending  the  Delaware  river,  to  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  in  1777,  were  protected  by  a  work 
on  Mud  Island,  called  Fort  Mifflin,  and  a  redoubt  and 
works  on  the  Jersey  shore,  at  Bed  Bank,  named  Fort 
Mercer.  • 

The  capture  or  overthrow  of  these  forts,  and  the  free 
passage  of  the  Delaware,  were  of  great  importance  to  the 
British  army,  in  the  occupation  of  Philadelphia.  Count 
Donop,  was  therefore  ordered  by  Howe,  with  twelve  hun- 


m 


BATTLE  OF  BED  BANK. 


dred  men,  chiefly  Germans,  to  cross  the  Delaware,  and 
storm  the  works  at  Bed  Bank. 

He  attacked  the  fort,  which  was  garrisoned  by  Colonel 
Christopher  Greene,  of  Rhode  Island,  with  only  five  hun- 
dred men,  on  the  22nd  of  October,  1777.  This  number, 
pr:)ving  insufficient  to  man  the  works  completely,  they  re- 
th  ed  from  the  outworks  to  the  redoubt,  after  galling  the 
Hissians  on  their  approach. 

The  charge  of  the  enemy  was  spirited,  but  the  fire  of 
tbe  Americans  was  too  well  directed,  and  too  deadly. 
Count  Donop  was  mortally  wounded ;  the  second  in  com- 
mand met  a  similar  fate ;  and  the  third  immediately  retired 
with  the  rest  of  his  men.  Greene  followed  them  on  their 
retreat.  Donop  was  taken  prisoner,  and  treated  with  the 
greatest  kindness ;  but  he  soon  died  of  his  wounds.  The 
loss  of  the  British  was  about  four  hundred  men,  while  that 
of  the  Americans  was  but  thii'ty-two  killed  and  wounded. 
That  portion  of  the  fleet  which  participated  in  the  attack, 
was  equally  unfortunate.  The  channel  had  been  obstructed 
by  the  chevaux-de-frize,  and  sandbanks  were  made,  where 
before,  none  had  existed. 

The  frigates  Augusta  and  Merlin  ran  aground  a  short 
distance  below  the  second  row  of  chevaux-de-frize.  Every 
exertion  was  used  to  get  them  ofi";  but  in  vain. 

Next  morning,  the  Americans  perceiving  their  situation, 
began  to  fire  upon  them,  and  sent  fire-ships  to  efiect  theii 


BATTLE  OF  RED  BANK.  187 

complete  destruction.  The  Augusta  was  fired,  and  the 
crew  with  great  difficulty  saved.  The  second  lieutenant, 
chaplain,  gunner,  and  some  seamen,  perished  in  the  flames ; 
and  the  crew  of  the  Merlin,  apprehending  a  similar  fate, 
get  fire  to  and  abandoned  her. 

This  was  a  splendid  victory  for  the  Americans ;  but  it 
was  unavailing  in  the  end.  A  subsequent  attack  was  made 
with  an  overwhelming  force;  and  the  Americans  wei«» 
obliged  to  retreat,  leaving  the  fort  a  heap  of  ruins. 


GENERAL  BURGOYNE. 


BURGOYNE'S  INVASION.     BATTLE  OF  BEN- 
NINGTON. 

It  is  well  known  to  the  readers  of  American  history, 
that  Burgoyne's  invasion  was  intended  to  conquer  the 
whole  country  from  Canada  to  New  York,  and  thus  cut  off 
all  connexion  between  the  northern  and  southern  colonies. 
His  first  operations  were  attended  with  success.  Ticon- 
deroga,  Fort  Edward,  and  Fort  Anne,  had  successively 
fallen  into  his  hands. 

Up  to  this  time,  every  thing  in  the  aspect  of  the  cam- 
(188) 


JOHN  LANGDON.  189 


burgoyxe's  invasion.  191  ^ 

paign  in  the  north  had  been  as  discouraging  to  the  Ame- 
ricans as  it  was  promising  to  Burgoyne.  "We  quote  a  pas- 
sage from  Governor  Everett,  to  show  what  the  state  of 
feeling  was  in  New  England,  and  to  what  kind  of  measures 
some  of  its  sons  were  capable  of  resorting  for  the  public 
good. 

^'It  must  be  confessed  that  it  required  no  ordinary 
share  of  fortitude,  to  find  topics  of  consolation  in  the  present 
state  of  affairs.  The  British  were  advancing  with  a  well- 
appointed  army  into  the  heart  of  the  country,  under  the 
conduct,  as  it  was  supposed,  of  the  most  skilttil  officers, 
confident  of  success,  and  selected  to  finish  the  war.  The 
army  consisted  in  part  of  German  troops,  veterans  of  the 
Seven  Years'  War,  under  the  command  of  a  general  of 
experience,  conduct,  and  valor.  Nothing  could  have  been 
more  ample  than  the  military  supplies,  the  artillery,  mu- 
nitions, and  stores,  with  which  the  army  was  provided. 
A  considerable  force  of  Canadians  and  American  loyalists, 
furnished  the  requisite  spies,  scouts,  and  rangers ;  and  a 
numerous  force  of  savages,  in  their  war-dresses,  with  their 
peculiar  weapons  and  native  ferocity,  increased  the  terrors 
of  its  approach.  Its  numbers  were  usually  rated  at  ten 
thousand  strong. 

"  On  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga,  and  the  further 
advance  of  such  an  army,  the  New  England  States,  and 
particularly  New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts,  were  filled 


192 


burqoyne's  invasion. 


with  alarm.  It  was  felt  that  their  frontier  was  uncovered, 
and  that  strenuous  and  extraordinary  efforts  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  country  were  necessary.  In  New  Hamp- 
shire, as  being  nearer  the  scene  of  danger,  a  proportion- 
ably  greater  anxiety  was  felt.  The  Committee  of  Safety, 
of  what  was  then  called  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  the 
present  state  of  Vermont,  wrote  in  the  most  pressing  terms 
to  the  New  Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety  at  Exeter, 
apprising  them,  that,  if  assistance  should  not  be  sent  to 
them,  they  should  be  forced  to  abandon  the  country  and 
take  refuge  east  of  the  Connecticut  River.  When  these 
tidings  reached  Exeter,  the  Assembly  had  finished  their 
spring  session,  and  had  gone  home.  A  summons  from 
the  Committee  brought  them  together  again,  and  in  three 
days  they  took  the  most  effectual  and  decisive  steps  for 
the  defence  of  the  country.  Among  the  patriotic  mem- 
bers of  the  Assembly,  who  signalized  themselves  on  this 
occasion,  none  was  more  conspicuous  than  the  late  Go- 
vernor Langdon.  The  members  of  that  body  were  inclined 
to  despond ;  the  public  credit  was  exhausted ;  and  there 
were  no  more  means  of  supporting  troops,  if  they  could 
be  raised.  Meantime  the  defences  of  the  frontier  had 
fallen,  and  the  enemy,  with  overwhelming  force,  was  pene- 
trating into  the  country.  At  this  gloomy  juncture,  John 
Langdon,  a  merchant  of  Portsmouth,  and  speaker  of  the 
Assembly,  thus  addressed  its  members : 


BATTLE  OF  BEXXIXGTON. 


195 


GENERAL  STARK. 


" '  I  have  three  thousand  dollars  in  hard  money  ;  I  will 
pledge  mv  plate  for  three  thousand  more  ;  I  have  seventy 
hogsheads  of  Tobago  rum,  which  shall  be  sold  for  the  most 
it  will  bring.  These  are  at  the  service  of  the  state.  If 
we  succeed  in  defending  our  firesides  and  homes,  I  may 
be  remunerated ;  if  we  do  not,  the  property  will  be  of  no 
value  to  me.  Our  old  friend,  Stark,  who  so  nobly  main- 
tained the  honor  of  our  state  at  Bunker  Hill,  may  be 
safely  intrusted  with  the  conduct  of  the  enterprise,  and  we 
will  check  the  progress  of  Burgoyne.' 

This  proposal  infused  new  life  into  the  measures  of  the 
Assembly.  They  formed  the  whole  militia  of  the  state 
into  two  brigades.  Of  the  fii'st  they  gave  the  commiand 
to  "William  Whipple,  of  the  second  to  John  Stark.  They 
ordered  one-fourth  part  of  Stark's  brigade,  and  one-fourth 
of  three  regiments  of  Whipple's,  '  to  stop  the  progress  of 
the  enemy  on  our  western  frontiers.'    They  ordered  the 


« 


196 


BATTLE  OF  BENNINGTON. 


militia  officers  to  take  away  arms  from  all  persons  who 
scrupled  or  refused  to  assist  in  defending  the  country ; 
and  appointed  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  which  was 
observed  with  great  solemnity." 

It  was  with  the  force  raised  by  these  exertions  of  the 
government  and  people  of  New  Hampshire,  that  General 
Stark  was  enabled  to  give  Burgoyne  his  first  check,  by 
defeating  his  attempt  to  seize  the  stores  at  Bennington. 
Burgoyne  had  dispatched  Colonel  Baum  on  this  service, 
with  five  hundred  men,  mostly  Germans,  including  a  de- 
tachment of  Reidsel's  dragoons,  and  one  hundred  Indians. 
General  Stark  was  near  the  town,  with  about  four  hun- 
dred men,  and  hearing  of  Baum's  approach,  he  sent  ex- 
presses with  directions  to  all  the  neighboring  militia,  to 
join  him,  and  an  order  to  Colonel  Warner,  to  march  from 
Manchester,  where  he  was  stationed  with  his  regiment,  to 
his  aid.  His  orders  were  promptly  obeyed,  and  he  soon 
found  himself  at  the  head  of  a  large  number  of  men.  Ad- 
vancing to  within  four  miles  of  the  town,  Baum  halted 
and  sent  an  express  to  Burgoyne  for  reinforcements ;  and 
Colonel  Breyman,  with  five  hundred  men  was  sent  to  his 
assistance.  Meantime  Stark  determined  to  attack  Baum 
in  his  camp.  He  advanced  against  the  enemy  at  the  head 
of  seven  hundred  men,  and  commenced  a  furious  assault. 
Baum  did  every  thing  that  could  be  expected  from  an 
officer,  under  the  circumstances,  but  in  vain ;  on  all  sides 


BATTLE  OF  BENNINGTON.  199 

he  was  assailed  with  an  incessant  fire  of  musketry,  and  he 
was  at  length  mortally  wounded.  The  battle  had  lasted 
two  hours,  when  the  Hessian  troops,  unable  longer  to 
withstand  the  American  fire,  fled  in  confusion.  A  few 
escaped,  but  the  greater  part  w^ere  killed  or  taken  priso- 
ners. The  militia  dispersed  for  plunder ;  Breyman  came 
up  and  renewed  the  battle,  and  Stark,  being  opportunely 
reinforced  by  Warner's  regiment,  maintained  the  engage- 
ment till  dark,  when  Breyman  abandoned  his  artillery 
and  baggage,  and  escaped  with  a  small  part  of  his  men  to 
the  British  camp.  The  American  militia  were  well-armed 
from  the  spoil  taken  in  this  victory.  Eour  brass  field- ' 
pieces,  one  thousand  stand  of  arms,  nine  hundred  swords, 
and  several  baggage-wagons,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
brave  Stark,  who  lost  but  one  hundred  men  in  killed  and 
wounded  throughout  the  day.  The  British  lost  about 
seven  hundred  in  all,  of  which  number,  thirty-two  officers 
were  taken  prisoners. 

The  battle  of  Bennington  was  the  first  serious  check 
received  by  Burgoyne.  It  was  followed  by  the  battle  of 
Stillwater,  and  Bemis's  Heights;  and  then  came  a  suc- 
cession of  disasters  which  terminated  in  the  surrender  of 
his  whole  army,  and  the  total  defeat  of  his  whole  grand 
scheme  of  invasion. 

The  capture  of  Burgoyne  and  his  army,  was  an  event 
of  immense  importance  to  the  cause  of  liberty.    It  saved 


200 


BATTLE  OF  BENNINGTON. 


he  New  England  States  from  all  the  horrors  of  invasion. 
It  inspired  congress  and  the  people  with  fresh  confidence 
to  protract  the  struggle  to  final  victory.  It  was  the 
turning  point  with  the  court  of  France,  and  determined 
that  power  to  form  a  treaty  of  alliance  with  the  United 
States,  and  to  send  her  fleets  and  armies  to  our  aid. 
There  remained  still,  much  to  be  done  and  suffered  for 
the  good  cause ;  but  from  this  time  forth,  the  patriots 
fought  with  renewed  courage  and  determination.  One 
formidable  British  army  defeated  and  captured,  fyhat 
might  they  not  hope  to  accomplish  ? 


HEROIC  EXPLOIT  OF  PETER  FRANCISCO. 

While  the  British  were  spreading  havoc  and  desolation 
all  around  them,  by  their  plunderings  and  burnings  in 
Virginia,  in  1781,  Peter  Francisco  had  been  reconnoiter- 
ing,  and  while  stopping  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Wand,  in 
Amelia  county,  nine  of  Tarleton's  cavalry  coming  up  with 
three  negroes,  told  him  he  was  a  prisoner.    Seeing  him- 

C201) 


202  HEROIC  EXPLOIT  OF  PETER  FRANCISCO. 

self  overpowered  by  numbers,  he  made  no  resistance  ;  and 
believing  him  to  be  very  peaceable,  they  all  went  into  the 
house,  leaving  the  paymaster  and  Francisco  together. 
He  demanded  his  watch,  money,  &c.,  which  being  delivered 
to  him,  in  order  to  secure  his  plunder,  he  put  his  sword 
under  his  arm,  with  the  hilt  behind  him.  While  in  the 
act  of  putting  a  silver  buckle  into  his  pocket,  Francisco, 
finding  so  favorable  an  opportunity  to  recover  his  liberty, 
stepped  one  pace  in  his  rear,  drew  the  sword  with  force 
from  under  his  arm,  and  instantly  gave  him  n  blow  across 
his  scull.  The  enemy  was  brave,  and  though  severely 
wounded,  drew  a  pistol,  and,  in  the  same  moment  that  he 
pulled  the  trigger,  Francisco  cut  his  hand  nearly  off.  The 
bullet  grazed  his  side.  Ben  Wand  (the  man  of  the  house) 
very  ungenerously  brought  out  a  musket,  and  gave  it  to 
one  of  the  British  soldiers,  and  told  him  to  make  use  of 
that.  He  mounted  the  only  horse  he  could  get,  and 
presented  it  at  Francisco's  breast.  It  missed  fire,  and 
Francisco  rushed  on  the  muzzle  of  the  gun.  A  short 
struo^ffle  ensued,  and  he  disarmed  and  wounded  him. 
Tarleton's  troop  of  four  hundred  men  were  in  sight.  All 
was  hurry  and  confusion,  which  Francisco  increased  by 
hallooing  as  loud  as  he  could.  Come  on,  my  brave  boys ; 
now's  your  time  :  we  will  soon  dispatch  these  few,  and 
then  attack  the  mai^i  body.  The  wounded  man  flew  to 
the  troop ;  the  others  were  panic  struck,  and  fled.  Fran- 


'It'll  nil  I 


HEROIC  EXPLOIT  OF  PETER  FRANCISCO.  205 

sisco  seized  Wand,  and  would  have  dispatched  him,  but 
jhe  poor  wretch  begged  for  his  life ;  he  was  not  only  an 
object  of  contempt,  but  pity.  The  eight  horses  that  were 
left  behind,  Francisco  gave  him  to  conceal  for  him.  Dis- 
covering Tarleton  had  dispatched  ten  more  in  pursuit  of 
him,  he  made  off  and  evaded  their  vigilance.  They  stopped 
to  refresh  themselves,  and  he,  like  an  old  fox,  doubled, 
and  fell  on  their  rear.  Francisco  went  the  next  day  to 
Wand  for  his  horses ;  he  demanded  two,  for  his  trouble 
and  generous  intentions.  Finding  his  situation  dangerous, 
and  surrounded  by  enemies  where  he  ought  to  have  found 
friends,  he  went  off  with  his  six  horses.  Francisco  in- 
tended to  have  avenged  himself  of  Wand  at  a  future  day, 
but  Providence  ordained  he  should  not  be  his  executioner, 
for  Wand  broke  his  neck  by  a  fall  from  one  of  the  very 
horses. 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 

The  name  of  Andrew  Jackson  is  associated  with  many 
stirring  events  in  American  History,  and  while  one  spark 
of  "virtue,  liberty,  and  independence,"  remains  imbedded 
in  the  hearts  of  the  American  people,  so  long  will  the 
name  of  Jackson  live. 

He  was  educated  for  the  ministry  by  his  mother,  who 
was  left  a  widow  shortly  after  his  birth,  and  who  looked 
forward  with  pleasure,  to  the  time  when  she  should  gee 
him  at  the  head  of  some  little  flock,  leading  them  in  that 
path  which  leads  to  Eternal  life ;  little  dreaming  that  lie 
(206) 


I 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 


209 


would  one  day  hold  the  highest  office  in  the  gift  of  his 
countrymen. 

While  receiving  his  education  at  the  Waxhaw  academy, 
the  Revolution  broke  out.  When  the  news  of  the  battles 
of  Lexington,  Concord,  and  Bunker's  Hill,  reached  the 
south,  and  the  events  immediately  succeeding,  the  fires 
began  to  burn,  and  all  were  seized  with  the  "  desire  to 
strike  one  blow  for  their  common  country." 

They  did  not  have  to  wait  a  great  while,  for  the  "  deso- 
lating tide  of  war  soon  rolled  south,  and  the  rallying  notes 
of  the  bugle  rang  through  the  woods  of  Carolina." 

Savannah  was  taken  by  the  British  in  1778,  and  in  the 
following  spring  the  troops  invaded  South  Carolina.  Here 
they  met  with  opposition  from  the  inhabitants,  and  the 
elder  brother  of  Andrew,  Hugh,  fell  at  Stono,  having 
been  "  overcome  by  the  heat  and  labor  of  the  day." 

Charleston  surrendered  the  following  year,  and  the 

British  under  Lord  Cornwallis  penetrated  into  the  heart 

of  South  Carolina.    Colonel  Buford,  who  commanded 

the  hardy  yeomanry,  amounting  to  about  four  hundred 

men,  was  forced  to  retire.    Cornwallis  dispatched  Colonel 

Tarleton  after  him,  who  overtook  him  at  Waxhaw,  the 

birth-place  of  Jackson,  and  literally  cut  Buford's  small 

army  to  pieces ;  but  one  hundred  and  forty  escaping,  of 

the  four  hundred  under  his  command. 

On  the  quiet  green  of  Waxhaw,  along  the  rural  street, 
18* 


'■210  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

around  the  humble  cottages,  h\j  the  mutilated  bodies, 
'  nearly  all  of  them  showing  the  ghastly  ^wounds  of  the 
sabre.  The  fierce  dragoons,  with  their  bugle  blasts,  and 
shouts,  and  trampling  steeds,  had  come  and  gone  like  { 
whirlwind,  leaving  desolation  in  their  path,  while  the  si 
lenee  that  succeeded  this  sudden  uproar,  and  short,  fierc 
death-struggle,  was  broken  only  by  the  groans  of  the 
dying.  Their  little  village  church  was  immediately  turned 
into  a  hospital,  and  the  inhabitants  vied  with  each  other 
in  ministering  to  the  wounded. 

Andrew  was  at  this  time  but  twelve  years  of  age ;  but 
as  he  listened  to  the  tumult  of  battle,  and  afterwards 
gazed  on  the  ghastly  spectacle,  his  young  heart  kindled 
into  rage,  and  in  that  dreadful  hour,  the  soldier  was 
born. 

Mrs.  Jackson,  shortly  after,  together  with  most  of  the 
inhabitants,  retired  into  North  Carolina,  frightened  at  the 
approach  of  Lord  Bawdon,  who  was  advancing  towards 
Waxhaw,  committing  every  species  of  rapine  and  plunder. 
She  remained  in  North  Carolina,  until  Rawdon  was  re- 
called to  Camden. 

In  1780,  General  Sumter  made  an  attack  upon  the  Bri- 
tish, at  Rocky  Mount ;  but  was  unsuccessful.  He  was, 
however,  shortly  after  reinforced  by  Colonel  Davie,  with 
a  party  of  Waxhaw  settlers,  among  whom  were  the  song 

Mrs.  Jackson ;  and  although  Andrew  was  but  thirteen 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  211 

years  of  age,  and  could  scarcely  carry  a  musket,  lie  was 
to  be  found  at  his  post,  burning  "witli  zeal  to  lend  a  helpinj ' 
hand,  in  securing  the  liberty  of  his  beloved  country. 

"  It  was  sad  to  behold  one  so  young  marching  to  the 
carnage  of  battle  ;  but  there  was  a  sublimity,  a  grandeur, 
about  the  gallant  boy,  that  wins  our  highest  admiration. 
It  is  a  terrible  thing  to  have  such  a  child  cast  into  the 
midst  of  strife  and  bloodshed ;  and  yet  it  is  a  noble  spec- 
tacle to  behold  so  young  a  heart  laid  on  the  altar  of  his 
country,  so  fresh  a  life  offered  a  sacrifice  to  liberty.  It 
was  hard  for  the  solitary  widow  to  part  with  her  '  Benja- 
min,' the  child  of  her  love.  As  she  strained  him  to  her 
bosom,  she  thought  of  the  hardships  and  toilsome  march 
before  him,  and  alas  !  of  the  battle-field  on  which,  per- 
chance, his  pale  and  innocent  cheek  would  be  pressed  in 
death,  while  his  clotted  locks  lay  trampled  in  the  earth ; 
yet.  Spartan-like,  she  bade  him,  in  God's  name,  go,  and 
strike  for  the  land  of  his  birth." 

General  Sumter,  on  the  6th  of  August,  attacked  the 
British  at  Hanging  Rock ;  but  a  portion  of  his  troops 
rising  in  rebellion,  he  was  forced  to  retreat.  The  boys 
Jackson,  were  still  in  Colonel Davies'  corps,  "which fought 
gallantly  to  the  last.  This  was  Andrew's  first  battle,  and 
in  it  he  showed  the  metal  he  was  made  of."  He  shortly 
after  returned  to  his  mother,  who  was  again  forced  to  flee 
into  North  Carolina  for  safety.    They  remained  until 


212^  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

February,  when  they  again  sought  their  home.  The  sub- 
sequent career  of  Jackson  is  too  well  known  to  require 
any  notice  from  us.  In  the  wars  with  the  Indians  in 
Florida,  in  1813-14,  he  made  himself  famous,  by  the 
boldness  and  consummate  tact,  with  which  he,  in  almost 
every  instance,  triumphed  over  superior  numbers.  But 
the  battle  of  New  Orleans  was  the  crowning  point.  A 
nation  testified  its  gratitude,  by  placing  him  in  the  highest 
office  in  their  gift. 


SIEGE  OF  TORKTOTVN,  AND  SURHENDER  OF 
CORNWALLIS. 

An  attempt  was  made  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  divert 
Washington  from  his  plan  of  operations  in  the  south, 
but  it  was  totally  unsuccessful.  He,  with  the  French 
generals,  marched  towards  Yorktown,  which  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  with  his  army,  was  endeavoring  to  fortify 

Yorktown  is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  York  rivrr, 
where  the  banks  are  high,  and  ships  of  the  line  may  ri  le 
in  safety.    On  the  opposite  shore  is  situated  Gloucester 

(215) 


216 


SIEGE  OF  YORKTOWN. 


/  Point.  Both  of  these  points  were  occupied  by  the  British, 
and  a  communication  kept  up,  by  means  of  their  batteries 
and  several  ships  of  war.  The  main  army  of  Cornwallis 
was  encamped  at  Yorktown ;  while  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Tarleton^  with  a  detachment  of  six  or  seven  hundred  men, 
kept  possession  of  Gloucester  Point. 

The  French  general  De  Choisy,  with  Lauzun's  legion, 
and  a  brigade  of  Virginia  militia,  watched  and  enclosed 
Tarleton's  force,  at  Gloucester,  whilst  the  main  army 
moved  to  invest  Yorktown,  on  the  30th  of  September. 

On  the  night  of  the  6th  of  October,  advancing  within 
six  hundred  yards  of  the  English  lines,  they  began  their 
first  parallel,  with  such  silence  and  industry,  that  they 
had  raised  a  work  of  sufficient  magnitude  to  protect  them, 
before  morning  discovered  their  operations  to  the  British. 
Dn  the  9th  and  10th  of  October,  the  allies  opened  a  fire 
from  their  batteries,  and  the  second  parallel  was  opened, 
within  three  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  works,  on  the 
night  of  the  10th ;  but  here  their  progress  was  impeded. 
Two  British  redoubts  were  advanced  in  front  of  the  other 
works,  and  the  workmen  in  the  trenches  were  much  an- 
noyed by  them.  It  was  determined  to  carry  these  posts 
by  storm  ;  and  to  avoid  national  jealousy,  and  to  profit 
by  the  natural  emulation  of  the  troops,  one  was  to  be  at- 
j  tacked  by  the  French,  whilst  the  Americans  should  assail 

'         the  other.    On  the  evening  of  the'14th,  the  two  detach 


SIEGE  OF  YOEKTOVrX.  217 

menrs  moved  to  the  assault.  La  Fayette  led  the  Ameri- 
cans against  the  redoubt  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  British, 
and  the  Baron  Yiomenil  led  the  French  grenadiers  and 
chasseurs  to  attack  the  other,  which  vras  more  toward 
the  British  right,  and  near  the  French  lines.  The  Ame- 
ricans rushed  to  the  assault  with  fixed  bayonets,  and  un- 
loaded arms,  and  the  redoubt  was  carried  in  a  few  minutes, 
with  the  inconsiderable  loss  of  nine  killed  and  thirty-two 
wounded.  Xotwiihstanding  the  frecj_uent  examples  of  se- 
verity displayed  by  the  British,  not  a  man  was  killed  after 
resistance  had  ceased,  either  by  the  American  or  the 
French  party,  who  also  were  successful.  Yiomenil,  how- 
ever, in  capturing  the  other  redoubt,  employed  more  time 
and  suffered  greater  loss  than  La  Fayette,  nearly  one 
hundred  men  being  killed  or  wounded. 

On  the  16th.  a  sortie  was  made  from  the  garrison  by 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Abercrombie,  with  about  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men  ;  two  batteries  were  forced,  and  eleven 
cannon  spiked  ;  but  the  British  were  soon  forced  to  retreat, 
and  the  cannon  were  again  fitted  for  use.  In  the  after- 
noon, the  batteries  in  the  second  parallel,  in  which  the 
two  redoubts  had  been  included,  were  opened,  and  about 
one  hundred  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  were  brought  to 
bear  upon  the  enemy's  lines.  These  latter  were  now  al- 
most in  ruins,  and  a  day  or  two  -more  would  leave  the 

British  at  the  mercy  of  th^rir  foe.    In  thesf^  circumstances, 

19 


218 


SIEGE  OF  TORKTOWN. 


Cornwallis  resolved  to  attempt  a  retreat  by  land  to  New 
York.  For  this  purpose  several  boat-loads  of  troops  were 
sent  over  to  Gloucester  Point ;  but  a  storm  of  wind  and 
rain  dispersed  the  boats,  and  the  design  was  consequently 
abandoned. 

On  the  17th,  several  new  batteries  were  opened,  and 
the  British  works  were  no  longer  tenable.  At  ten  in  the 
morning,  Cornwallis  begged  for  a  cessation  of  hostilities 
for  twenty-four  hours ;  but  Washington,  in  answer  to  his 
lordship's  letter,  stated  his  "ardent  desire  to  spare  the 
further  effusion  of  blood,  and  his  readiness  to  listen  to 
such  terms  as  were  admissible,"  but  refused  to  suspend 
hostilities  for  more  than  two  hours.  Propositions  were 
then  submitted  by  Cornwallis,  the  nature  of  which  were 
such  as  to  lead  to  an  adjustment  of  terms  of  capitulation, 
and  the  suspension  of  hostilities  was  continued  throughout 
the  day  and  night. 

Commissioners  were  appointed  to  digest  into  form  the 
rough  draft  of  articles  which  Washington  had  proposed  to 
Lord  Cornwallis ;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  19th,  the 
commander-in-chief  sent  them  by  letter  to  his  lordship, 
expressing  his  expectation  that  they  would  be  signed  by 
eleven  in  the  morning,  and  that  the  garrison  would  march 
out  by  two  in  the  afternoon.  Clinton  had  failed  to  fulfil 
his  promise  of  relief;  there  was  no  prospect  of  a  dissen- 
sion between  the  French  and  Americans,  by  which  bis 


SIEGE  OF  TORTvTO'^N'.  221 

lordship. miglit  hope  to  escape,  and  he  was  compelled  to 
suhmit  to  the  humiliating,  though  inevitable  necessity. 
The  articles  were  signed,  on  the  18th  of  October  the  gar- 
rison marched  out  of  the  town,  with  colors  cased,  and 
General  Lincoln  received  the  submission  of  the  roval 
army,  on  the  same  terms  which  had  been  granted  to  him- 
self under  similar  circumstances,  at  Charleston. 

The  posts  of  Torktown  and  Grloucesitev,  with  their  gar- 
risons and  stores,  were  surrendered  .v,  the  United  States ; 
the  shipping  and  seamen  to  the  Count  de  Grasse.  There 
were  upwards  of  seven  thous?i>H  prisoners,  exclusive  of 
seamen,  six  thousand  of  whoiP.  were  rank  and  file.  Five 
hundred  and  fifty-two  of  I^lq  garrison  were  either  killed 
or  wounded  durirg  the  si  3p;e.  The  French  and  Americans 
:iy&t  about  tk.  ie  0ii»dvt^. 


19* 


4 


GEORGE  ROGERS  CLARKE. 

Perhaps  one  of  the  most  surprising  expeditions  during 
the  revolutionary  war,  was  that  under  the  immediate 
command  of  Colonel  George  Rogers  Clarke.  It  happened 
in  1778,  against  Kaskaskia  and  Vincennes,  then  held  by 
the  British.  The  Indians  received  their  supplies  of  arms 
and  ammunition  from  these  places,  which  enabled  them 
to  commit  their  depredations  upon  the  frontier  settlements 
of  Virginia. 

Clarke  was  a  man  eminently  qualified  for  the  position 
he  was  chosen  to  fill,  being  brave,  possessed  of  great 
(222) 


GEOKGE  ROGERS  CLARKE.  225 

energy,  and  well  skilled  in  the  warfare,  and  cunning  de- 
vices practised  by  the  savage  denizens  of  the  forest.  He 
was  aware  that  in  order  to  put  a  stop  to  the  depredations 
of  the  Indians  it  was  necessary  to  begin  with  their  allies, 
at  a  distance,  by  whom  they  were  supported  and  encou- 
raged. At  the  head  of  three  hundred  men  he  crossed 
the  Monongahela  river,  and  descended  the  Ohio  in  boats, 
as  far  as  the  falls  of  that  river,  being  reinforced  there  by 
some  volunteers  from  Kentucky,  then  Western  Virginia. 
Here  he  left  some  thirteen  families,  who  had  left  their 
homes,  for  the  purpose  of  settling  in  that  country.  At 
that  time,  no  settlement  had  been  yet  attempted  at  the 
Falls,  where  Louisville  now  stands ;  and  the  situation  was 
BO  exposed,  that  the  first  houses  were  built  upon  the  island 
in  the  river.  ' 

A  few  days  were  employed  in  recruiting  the  exhausted 
energies  of  his  men ;  he  then  proceeded  down  to  within 
sixty  miles  of  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio,  where  he  landed 
and  hid  his  boats,  to  prevent  their  being  discovered  by  the 
Indians.  Kaskaskia  was  now  about  one  hundred  and 
thirty  miles  off,  and  the  road  lay  through  deep  morasses, 
and  ponds  of  water,  almost  concealed  by  the  luxuriant 
vegetation,  which  abounded  throughout  the  whole  route, 
and  which  must  have  rendered  the  march  of  the  troops 
difficult  in  the  extreme. 

But  Clarke  was  not  a  man  to  let  trifles  impede  his  pro- 


226 


GEORGE  ROGERS  CLARKE. 


gress.  He  was  one  of  those  hardy,  bold,  and  intrepid 
men,  whom  no  danger,  however  great,  could  deter,  and 
difficulties  served  but  to  increase  his  ardor.  At  the  head 
of  his  troops,  with  his  rifle  thrown  across  his  shoulder, 
and  his  provisions  strapped  to  his  back,  he  marched  on 
through  this  dark  and  dreary  region. 

After  many  privations  and  a  weary  march,  he  arrived, 
in  the  night,  before  Kaskaskia.  The  town  contained  in- 
habitants enough  to  have  resisted  a  much  greater  force 
than  that  of  Clarke,  had  they  been  aware  of  his  approach  ; 
but  so  silent  and  rapid  had  been  his  march,  that  the  first 
notice  they  received,  was  the  assault  he  made  upon  the 
town. 

"  Not  a  scattering  hunter  had  espied  his  march ;  not  a 
roving  Indian  had  seen  his  trail ;  the  watchman  was  sleep- 
ing in  fancied  security  ;  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  were 
resting  from  their  labors,  and  the  garrison  of  the  fort  was 
not  alarmed,  until  the  citadel  was  taken,  and  the  flag  of 
stars  and  stripes  was  proudly  waving  upon  its  battle- 
ments. 

The  astonishment  of  the  garrison,  and  their  mortifica- 
tion, can  better  be  imagined  than  described.  The  whole 
afi'air  occupied  but  a  short  time.  The  inhabitants  were 
required  to  swear  allegiance  to  the  United  States,  and 
Colonel  Clarke  made  the  fort  at  Kaskaskia,  his  head 
quarters. 


Oi::NERAL  GEORGE  ROGERS  CLARKE. 


GEORGE  ROGERS  CLARKE. 


229 


From  the  fact  that  property  was  not  molested,  and  that 
the  people  were  treated  in  the  most  humane  manner,  they 
soon  became  reconciled  to  the  change.  Care  was  taken 
that  no  one  escaped  to  spread  the  news,  "  while  detach- 
ments were  sent  out,  that  captured  the  open  settlements 
and  villages  in  the  vicinity,  without  the  least  resistance." 
The  villages  higher  up  the  Mississippi,  also  fell  an  easy 
prey  to  a  detachment  of  horsemen,  dispatched  by  Colonel 
Clarke,  for  that  purpose.  -  ; 

"  Thus  fell  the  power  of  Great  Britain,  upon  the  banks 
of  the  Mississippi ;  and  this  fertile  valley,  which  will  one 
day  be  the  centre  of  population  of  this  great  Republic, 
passed  from  under  her  authority  for  ever." 


CAPTAIN  BIDDLE. 


DEATH  OF  CAPTAIN  BIDDLE. 

Captain  Nicholas  Biddlb  was  born  at  Philadelphia, 
in  1750.  After  many  years  of  adventure  as  a  British 
seaman,  in  which  he  acquired  a  complete  knowledge  of 
his  profession,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  United  States, 
and  was  very  successful  in  capturing  the  vessels  of  the 
(230) 


DEATH  OF  CAPTAIN  BIDDLE. 


233 


English,  in  the  early  part  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  He 
was  in  command  of  a  squadron  composed  of  the  Randolph, 
the  Moultrie,  and  two  smaller  vessels,  when  he  fell  in  the 
service  of  his  country. 

On  the  night  of  the  7th  of  March,  1778,  the  fatal  acci- 
dent occuiTed,  which  terminated  the  life  of  this  excellent 
officer.  For  some  days  previously  he  had  expected  an 
attack.  Captain  Blake,  a  brave  officer  who  commanded  a 
detachment  of  the  second  South  Carolina  Regiment, 
serving  as  marines  on  board  the  General  Moultrie,"  and  to 
whom  we  are  indebted  for  several  of  the  ensuing  particu- 
lars, dined  on  board  the  Randolph  two  days  before  the 
engagement.  At  dinner,  Captain  Riddle  said,  "  We  have 
been  cruising  here  for  some  time,  and  have  spoken  a 
number  of  vessels,  who  will  no  doubt  give  information  of 
us,  and  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  my  old  ship  should  be 
out  after  us.  As  to  any  thing  that  carries  her  guns  upon 
deck,  I  think  myself  a  match  for  her." 

About  8,  P.  M.  of  the  7th  of  March,  a  signal  was  made 
from  the  Randolph  for  a  sail  to  windward,  in  consequence 
of  which  the  squadron  hauled  upon  a  wind,  in  order  to 
speak  to  her.  It  was  four  o'clock  before  she  could  be 
distinctly  seen,  when  she  was  discovered  to  be  a  ship, 
though  as  she  neared  and  came  before  the  wind,  she  had 
the  appearance  of  a  large  sloop  with  only  a  square-sail 
set.    About  seven  o'clock,  the  Randolph  being  to  wind- 

20* 


234 


DEATH  OF  CAPTAIN  BIDDLE. 


ward,  hove  to ;  the  Moultrie  being  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  yards  astern,  and  rather  to  leeward,  also  hove 
to.  About  eight  o  clock  the  British  ship  fired  a  shot  just 
ahead  of  the  Moultrie,  and  hailed  her,  the  answer  was ; 
"the  Polly,  of  New  York;"  upon  which  she  immediately 
hauled  her  wind,  and  hailed  the  Randolph.  She  was  then, 
for  the  first  time,  discovered  to  be  a  two-decker.  After 
several  questions  had  been  asked  and  answered,  as  she  was 
ranging  up  alongside  the  Randolph,  and  had  got  on  her 
weather  quarter.  Lieutenant  Barnes,  of  that  ship  called 
out,  "  This  is  the  Randolph,"  and  she  immediately  hoisted 
her  colors,  and  gave  the  enemy  a  broad-side.  Shortly 
after  the  action  commenced.  Captain  Biddle  received  a 
wound  in  the  thigh,  and  fell.  This  occasioned  some  con- 
fusion, as  it  was  at  first  thought  that  he  was  killed.  He 
soon,  however,  ordered  a  chair  to  be  brought,  said  that 
he  was  only  slightly  wounded,  and  being  carried  forward, 
encouraged  the  crew. 

The  stern  of  the  enemy's  ship  being  clear  of  the  Ran- 
dolph, the  captain  of  the  Moultrie  gave  orders  to  fire,  but 
the  enemy  having  shot  ahead,  so  as  to  bring  the  Randolph 
between  them,  the  last  broad-side  of  the  Moultrie  went 
into  the  Randolph,  and  it  was  thought  by  one  of  the  men 
saved,  who  was  stationed  on  the  quarter-deck  near  Cap- 
tain Biddle,  that  he  was  wounded  by  a  shoi  from  the 
Moultrie.    The  fire  from  the  Randolph  was  constant  and 


DEATH  OF  CAPTAIX  BIDDLE.  235 

well  directed.  She  fired  nearly  three  broadsides  to  the 
enemy's  one.  and  she  appeared,  while  the  battle  lasted,  to 
be  in  a  continual  blaze.  In  about  twenty  minutes  after 
the  battle  began,  and  while  the  surgeon  was  examining 
Captain  Biddle's  wound  on  the  quarter-deck,  the  Eandolph 
Mew  up. 

The  enemy's  vessel  was  the  British  ship  Yarmouth,  of 
eixty-four  guns,  commanded  by  Captain  Yincent.  So 
closely  were  they  engaged,  that  Captain  Morgan,  of  the 
Fair  American,  and  all  his  crew,  thought  that  it  was  the 
enemy's  ship  that  had  blown  up.  He  stood  for  the  Yar- 
mouth, and  had  a  trumpet  in  his  hand,  to  hail  and  inquire 
how  Captain  Biddle  was,  when  he  discovered  his  mistake. 
Owing  to  the  disabled  condition  of  the  Yarmouth,  the 
other  vessels  escaped. 

The  cause  of  the  explosion  was  never  ascertained,  but 
it  is  remarkable  that  just  before  he  sailed,  after  the  clerk 
had  copied  the  signals  and  orders  for  the  armed  vessels 
that  accompanied  him,  he  wrote  at  the  foot  of  them,  ''In 
case  of  coming  to  action  in  the  night  be  very  careful  of 
your  magazines."  The  number  of  persons  on  board  the 
Randolph  was  three  hundred  and  fifteen,  who  all  perished 
except  four  men,  who  were  tossed  about  for  four  days  on 
a  piece  of  the  wreck,  before  they  were  discovered  and 
taken  up.  From  the  information  of  two  of  these  men, 
wlio  were  afterwards  in  Philadelphia,  and  of  some  indivi- 


236 


DEATH  OF  CAPTAIN  BIDDLB. 


duals  in  tlie  other  vessels  of  the  squadron,  we  have  been 
enabled  to  state  some  particulars  of  this  unfortunate  event, 
in  addition  to  the  account  given  of  it  by  Dr.  Ramsay  in 
his  History  of  the  Revolution  of  South  Carolina.  In  the 
former  work,  the  historian  thus  concludes  his  account  of 
the  action :  "  Captain  Biddle,  who  perished  on  board  the 
Randolph,  was  universally  lamented.  He  was  in  the 
prime  of  life,  and  had  excited  high  expectations  of  future 
usefulness  to  his  country,  as  a  bold  and  skilful  naval  officer.'* 
Thus  prematurely  fell,  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven,  as 
gallant  an  officer  as  any  country  ever  boasted  of.  In  the 
short  career  which  Providence  allowed  to  him,  he  displayed 
all  those  qualities  which  constitute  a  great  soldier — brave 
to  excess,  and  consummately  skilled  in  his  profession. 


PATRIOTISM  OF  MOTHER  BAILEY. 

The  incident,  which  rendered  famous  the  lady  whose 
name  heads  our  present  article,  is  probably  as  well  known 
to  the  general  reader  as  many  others,  which,  having  been 
oft  repeated,  have  become  as  familiar  almost  as  "  house- 
hold words."  But  there  are  many  particulars  concerning 
the  "heroine  of  Groton,"  which  are  not  generally  known, 
and  which  may  be  of  interest  to  those  who  have  only 
heard  her  name  connected  with  the  circumstance  which 
the  engraving  is  intended  to  illustrate.    Let  us  turn  to 

(23T) 


238  PATRIOTISM  OP  MOTHER  BAILEY. 

the  chronicles,  and  see  what  history  has  to  say  about 
her  there. 

On  the  morning  of  the  sixth  of  September,  1781,  a 
British  fleet  appeared  off  the  harbor  of  New  London, 
bearing  aland  force  composed  of  Hessians  and  tories,  under 
command  of  the  arch  traitor,  Arnold,  who  was  about  to 
seal  with  the  blood  of  his  countrymen  the  unholy  compact 
between  himself  and  his  former  foes.  Landing  in  two  di- 
Tisions,  the  main  body,  under  Arnold,  proceeded  to  attack 
and  burn  the  town,  while  on  the  opposite  shore,  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Eyre  led  a  party  against  Fort  Griswold,  to 
which  many  of  the  American  militia — on  finding  resistance 
useless  on  the  opposite  shore — had  fled.  Approaching  the 
fort  from  the  rear.  Colonel  Eyre  captured  an  advanced 
battery,  and  sent  a  flag  demanding  the  surrender  of  the 
garrison.  This  was  peremptorily  refused,  and  the  assault 
began.  The  Americans  were  poorly  armed  and  equipped, 
yet  excited  to  the  utmost  height  of  phrenzy  at  the  sight 
of  their  homes  in  flames,  and  their  families  driven  forth 
as  houseless  wanderers,  they  fought  with  the  most  deter- 
mined bravery,  and  Colonel  Eyre,  as  well  as  Major  Mont- 
gomery, his  successor,  together  with  fifty-four  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  privates,  were  killed  or  mortally 
wounded  ere  the  fort  was  captured.  Maddened  at  this 
loss,  and  rendered  ferocious  at  the  long  continued  resist- 
ance of  the  garrison,  the  Hessians  and  tories  continued 


PATRIOTISM  OF  MOTHER  BAILEY. 


241 


the  work  of  death  long  after  all  resistance  had  ceased. 
Colonel  Ledyard,  the  commander  of  the  fort,  was  run 
through  the  body  by  the  inhuman  wretch  who  succeeded  in 
the  command  upon  the  fall  of  Major  Montgomery,  and,  as 
though  not  sated  with  the  blood  which  had  already  been 
shed,  the  savage  troops  gathered  the  wounded,  placed  them 
in  a  cart,  and  rolled  them  down  the  hill  toward  the  river, 
expecting  to  see  them  engulphed  in  the  stream.  Then 
laying  a  train  to  the  magazine,  they  departed,  taking  with 
them  everything  they  could  conveniently  carry.  The  cart 
was  providentially  stopped  in  its  downward  career  by  an 
apple  tree,  and  after  the  departure  of  the  enemy,  the 
women  of  the  vicinity,  headed  by  Fanny  Ledyard,  (the 
niece  of  the  Colonel,)  came  to  their  relief,  with  water, 
wine,  and  chocolate,  to  assuage  their  burning  thirst,  and 
with  bandages  for  their  wounds.  Some  had  died  from 
the  effects  of  the  brutal  treatment  they  had  received,  but 
most  of  them  recovered  through  the  kindness  and  efficient 
nursing  of  their  friends 

Mrs.Bailey — then  a  maiden  of  seventeen  summers — waa 
one  of  that  noble  group,  who  aided  in  binding  up  the 
wounds  and  relieving  the  distress  of  the  poor  soldiers. 
Iler  future  husband— then  a  lad  of  about  her  own  age- 
was  one  of  the  garrison  of  the  fort,  and  had  been  detailed, 
in  company  with  a  man  named  Williams,  to  man  the  ad 

vanced  battery  of  one  gun ;  and  well  did  they  perforin 

21 


242  PATRIOTISM  OE  MOTHER  BAILEY. 

their  part,  until  the  near  approach  .of  the  enemj  threatened 
to  cut  them  off,  and  they  retired.  Williams  fled  at  once 
to  the  fort,  but  young  Bailey  stopped  to  spike  the  gun, 
that  it  might  not  be  turned  against  his  countrymen,  and 
in  doing  so,  lost  so  much  time,  that  when  he  knocked  at 
the  gate  he  found  it  barred  against  him,  on  account  of 
the  close  proximity  of  the  enemy.  Finding  all  his  efforts 
unavailing  to  gain  admittance,  and  having  but  a  moment 
in  which  to  decide  and  act,  he  leaped  a  fence,  and  hid 
himself  in  a  neighboring  corn-field,  from  whence  he  had  a 
full  view  of  the  battle,  and  all  the  incidents  connected 
with  the  subsequent  massacre  of  his  brave  commander 
and  fellow-soldiers.  What  agonizing  emotions  filled  his 
breast,  as  he  lay  concealed  within  hearing  of  the  dying 
groans  of  those  with  whom  he  had  been  so  long  and  inti- 
mately connected — his  neighbors  and  friends.  How  truly 
thankful  he  felt,  as  he  thought  that  the  circumstance, 
which  he  had  looked  upon  as  endangering  his  life,  had  in 
reality  been  the  means  of  saving  him  from  the  fate  of 
those  who  lay  weltering  in  their  life's  blood. 

As  soon  as  the  enemy  had  taken  to  their  boats,  he 
started  in  search  of  assistance  for  those  who  still  lived — 
if  haply  he  might  find  it.  He  was  paying  his  addresses 
at  the  time  to  his  future  wife,  and  her  father's  house  was 
the  first  to  which  he  directed  his  steps.  Finding  no  one 
at  home  but  the  women,  ho  informed  them  of  the  condi- 


PATRIOTISM  OF  MOTHER  BAILEY.  213 

tion  of  his  unfortunate  countrymen,  and  hastened  on  to 
collect  those  who  might  aid  him  in  the  burial  of  the  dead. 
The  women  responded  to  the  call  of  the  distressed  and 
wounded  soldiers,  and  after  their  removal  to  the  neigh- 
boring  houses,  nursed  them  assiduously  until  many  of 
them  recovered. 

After  the  war,  young  Bailey  married  our  heroine  and 
settled  in  his  native  place.  He  was  appointed  Postmaster 
during  the  administration  of  Jefferson,  and  held  that  office 
for  a  period  of  forty  years,  until  his  death,  in  1848. 

In  1813,  when  the  British  fleet  drove  Decatur  into  the 
harbor  of  New  London,  and  threatened  to  bombard  the 
town,  and  preparations  were  made  to  defend  it,  it  was 
found  that  there  was  a  deficiency  in  the  article  of  flannel 
for  cartridges.  This  fact  was  mentioned  to  a  Mr.  Latham, 
a  neighbor  of  Mrs.  Bailey,  who  generously  undertook  to 
procure  it.  All  thut  could  be  found  in  New  London  was 
sent  to  the  fort,  but  there  was  still  a  deficiency.  Be- 
thinking him  of  his  neighbor,  and  calling  to  mind  her  pa- 
triotism and  desire  to  save  her  countrymen,  he  crossed 
the  river  and  took  his  way  to  her  house.  "Mrs.  Bailey," 
said  he,  on  entering,  "  I  have  come  to  see  if  you  have  any 
spare  flannel  in  the  house.  The  people  at  the  fort  are 
short  of  materials  for  cartridges,  I  have  sent  them  all  I 
could  find  in  the  town,  and  still  it  is  not  enough ;  if  you 
have  any  to  spare,  I'd  like  to  get  it  of  you." 


244      ^        PATRIOTISM  OF  MOTHER  BAILEY. 

"Well,  I  don't  know,"  replied  the  lady  ;  "  I  have  none 
in  the  house,  but  I  guess  I  can  find  some  for  you,  if  you 
will  wait  till  I  come  back." 

He  readily  acquiesced  in  her  wish,  and  she  went  around 
to  her  neighbors  and  collected  all  the  children's  flannel 
petticoats  that  she  could  find  in  town.  Returning  to  Mr. 
Latham  with  her  load,  he  informed  her  that  still  there 
was  not  enough.  ; 

"You  shall  have  mine  then,"  replied  the  dame,  at  the 
same  time  taking  her  scissors — which,  after  the  fashion 
of  the  day,  she  wore  at  her  side, — and  cutting  the  string 
which  secured  it,  she  stepped  out  of  it,  and  handed  it  to 
him,  adding,  "  It  is  a  heavy  new  one,  and  I  hate  to  part 
with  it,  for  I  don't  know  when  I  shall  get  another,  but  I 
don't  care  for  that ;  all  I  want  is  to  see  it  go  through  the 
Englishmen's  insides." 

Of  course  Mr.  Latham  could  not  ask  more,  and  taking 
his  prize  on  his  arm  returned  to  the  fort  with  it.  When 
he  related  the  incident,  some  of  the  sailors  declared  it  was 
a  shame  to  cut  it  up  into  cartridge  patterns,  and  thought 
it  ought  to  float  at  the  peak  of  one  of  the  ships,  as  an 
ensign,  under  which  to  fight  the  Britons. 

The  story  spread,  and  Mrs.  Bailey  found  herself  a 
heroine  at  once.  Many  were  the  visitors  she  had  in  con- 
sequence, to  all  of  whom  she  delighted  to  talk  of  the 
scenes  through  which  she  had  passed,  and  of  the  incidents 


PATRIOTISM  OF  MOTHER  BAILEY.  247 

of  her  early  life.  She  had  in  her  possession  mementoes 
of  Jackson,  Van  Buren,  Colonel  K.  M.  Johnson,  and  other 
distinguished  guests  who  had  honored  her  by  personal 
visits.  She  lived  to  be  nearly  ninety  years  of  age,  (seventy 
of  which  were  passed  with  her  husband,)  retaining  to  the 
last  an  excellent  flow  of  spirits,  as  well  as  all  her  faculties. 
Her  sad  and  melancholy  death  occurred  on  the  10th  of 
January,  1851,  by  her  clothes  accidentally  taking  fire. 


THE  DUTCHMAN  AND  THE  RAKE. 


AN  INCIDENT  OF  THE  BURNING  OF  KINGSTON. 

Hendrich  Jansen,  or  Dutch  Henry,  as  he  was  com- 
monly called,  was  one  of  those  characters  we  but  too  fre- 
quently meet.  According  to  his  own  account,  he  was 
possessed  of  undaunted  courage,  and  he  more  than  once 
avowed  in  the  village  tavern,  that  he  would  be  the  last  man 
to  flee  from  the  red-coats.  The  topics  of  the  day  being 
of  an  exciting  nature,  furnished  him  with  abundant  mate- 
rial on  which  to  exercise  his  abilities  as  a  debater.  It 


THE  DUTCHMAN  AND  THE  RAKE.  249 

was  a  source  of  wonder  among  the  villagers,  that  a  man, 
possessed,  as  he  asserted,  of  great  talents,  and  military' 
knowledge,  did  not  ojBfer  his  services  in  defence  of  his 
adopted  country  ;  and  frequently  was  he  taxed  upon  this 
score.  At  such  times,  Hendrick,  who  was  never  able  to 
give  a  satisfactory  reason  for  his  not  joining  the  army  of 
patriots,  would  belabor  his  questioner  with  his  tongue  in 
the  most  unmerciful  manner.  An  opportunity  was  soon 
to  occur,  in  which  his  boasted  courage  would  be  put  to 
the  test. 

On  one  occasion,  soon  after  the  capture  of  Forts  Clinton 
and  Montgomery  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  when  the  war 
was  brought  as  it  were,  home  to  their  very  doors,  and  they 
might  be  houseless  wanderers,  a  group  of  idlers  were  col- 
lected as  usual  in  the  tavern  porch,  discussing,  in  animated 
language,  the  probability  of  an  attack  upon  their  own 
quiet  village  by  the  British  on  their  way  up  the  river,  as 
it  was  universally  supposed  that  Clinton  was  moving  up 
the  Hudson  to  the  relief  of  Burgoyne,  who  was  there  in 
the  toils  of  Gates  at  Saratoga.  Of  course,  Hendrick  was 
an  active  participant  in  the  discussion,  and,  as  usually  was 
the  case  on  such  occasions,  when  some  of  the  group  had 
been  borne  down  by  the  weight  of  Hendrick's  argument, 
he  fell  back  upon  the  usual  resort  of  doubting  his  courage. 
Such  an  imputation,  at  such  a  moment,  was  more  than 
Hendrick  could  bear  with  patience,  and  he  gave  utterance 


250 


THE  DUTCHMAN  AND  THE  RAKE. 


to  such  a  volley  of  expletives  and  torrent  of  words, 
as  to  convince  his  opponent  that  if  he  lacked  the  qualities 
of  a  good  soldier,  he  certainly  did  not  want  for  energy  i^ 
the  use  of  his  tongue. 

"  Cot  for  tarn  !" — Hendrick  would  sometimes  use  harsh 
and  unseemly  language  when  he  became  excited — "  Cot 
for  tam !  vat  for  you  dinks  I  vas  run  away  ven  te  Bri- 
tishers cum,  and  leave  mine  vrow  to  be  murtered,  and 
mine  haus  to  be  purnt  up  mit  fire.  Bonder  and  Blixen  ! 
I  shall  kill  goot  many,  and  ten  I  shall  be  killed  'fore  I 
vas  run  avay.  Cos  I  vas  not  gone  mit  General  Vashing- 
ton,  and  leave  mine  vrow,  I  no  can  fite  te  red  cotes.  Ve 
shall  see  who  shall  be  run  avay  ven  te  British  shall  be 
cum.  Ten  I  shall  see  you  run  avay,  and  te  tyfel  shall  be 
run  after  you  mit  a  sharp  stick." 

Such  was  Hendrick's  arguments  and  such  his  intentions, 
if  we  may  believe  his  words ;  but  alas  for  poor  human 
weakness,  the  hour  of  trial  came  all  too  soon,  for  his 
boasts  were  still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  his  hearers,  when  a 
few  d'ays  afterward  the  British  frigates  came  up  the  river, 
and  landed  a  body  of  troops,  whose  aim  was  to  burn  the 
village.  One  division  landed  in  the  cove,  just  north  of 
the  present  steamboat  wharf ;  the  other,  landed  from 
small  boats  at  a  place  called  Pencknocken  Point,  near 
which  point  are  extensive  flats,  which  at  low  water  are 
dry,  and  yield  an  abundance  of  coarse  salt  grass. 


THE  DUTCHMAN  AND  THE  RAKE.  253 

It  SO  happened  that  when  thej  landed,  Hendrick  and 
/)thers  were  at  work  on  the  meadow,  gathering  the  grass, 
and  among  them  his  late-opponent  in  debate.  They  did 
not  discover  the  approach  of  the  British  until  they  were 
quite  near  to  them,  and  when  they  did  look  up  from  their 
work,  one  boat  load  had  already  landed  on  the  edge  of 
the  meadow.  No  time  was  taken  to  deliberate  in  the 
matter,  but  the  whole  party  of  haymakers  fled  as  fast  as 
their  legs  would  carry  them,  towards  the  upland — Hen- 
drick among  the  number.  Now,  I  should  be  willing  to 
ascribe  Hendrick's  haste,  to  his  desire  to  alarm  his 
neighbors  and  the  village,  or  to  the  fact  that  he  was  un- 
armed, and  running  to  get  his  gun,  or  to  any  other  cause, 
rather  than  to  fear,  were  it  not  that  a  slight  accident  oc- 
curred to  him  as  he  fled,  which  caused  such  a  sudden 
change  in  his  political  principles,  as  to  lead  to  much  ani- 
ma(^version  afterwards  on  the  part  of  his  neighbors  and 
acquaintances.  It  so  happened  that  directly  in  his  path 
as  he  fled  toward  the  point,  lay  a  rake,  which  had  been 
left  by  former  haymakers,  and  which  was  hidden  by  the 
long  grass  in  which  it  lay.  The  tines  or  points  of  the  rake 
were  uppermost,  and  on  these  Hendrick  happened  to 
tread  as  he  ran.  The  handle,  as  a  natural  consequence, 
fiew  up  and  struck  him  a  pretty  violent  blow  on  the  back 
of  the  head.    Thinking,  doubtless,  that  the  British  were 

ai  his  heels,  and  that  one  of  them  had  stricken  him  the 

22 


254  THE  DUTCHMAN  AND  THE  RAKE. 

blow  to  admonish  him  to  surrender,  Hendrick  dropped  on 
his  knees,  and,  clasping  his  hands  together  in  an  agony 
of  fear,  his  whole  frame  trembling  and  teeth  chattering, 
exclaimed :  "  0  mein  Cot !  mein  Cot !  I  kivs  up,  I  sur- 
render, I  is  a  tory.  Hurrah  for  King  Shorge  !  0  good 
Mr.  Soljur,  spare  mine  life."  The  roar  of  laughter  which 
burst  from  his  companions,  induced  the  poor  fellow  to 
turn  his  tearful  eyes  over  his  shoulder,  where  he  beheld 
the  handle  of  the  innocent  rake  towering  up  behind  him, 
while  the  enemy  were  on  the  march  in  a  different  direc- 
tion, full  half  a  mile  in  his  rear.  It  is  hardly  necessary 
to  add,  that  Hendrick  never  returned  to  his  allegiance  to 
the  States ;  at  least,  he  was  never  heard  to  argue  their 
side  of  the  question  again,  and  even  at  the  present  day 
his  descendants  feel  very  sore  at  the  mejition  of  Hen- 
drick's  adventure  with  the  rake. 


256 


SIMON  KENTON. 


SIMON  KENTOK 

Simon  Kextox  was  one  of  those  bold  and  adventuroua 
spirits,  that  in  the  early  history  of  our  country,  obtained 
sc  much  renown  from  their  daring  encounters  with  the 
savages  in  the  far  west.  He  was  a  fit  companion  for 
Clarke,  and'  was  one  of  his  army  at  the  time  of  his  expe- 
dition to  Kaskaskia,  and  the  towns  upon  the  upper  banks 
of  the  Mississippi. 

He  was  ordered  by  Colonel  Bowman,  to  take  a  friend 
of  his,  named  Montgomery,  and  another  young  man  named 
Clarke,  and  proceed  on  a  secret  mission  to  an  Indian 


258 


SIMON  KENTON. 


town  on  the  Little  Miami,  against  which  the  Colonel  had 
meditated  an  expedition. 

They  started  instantly,  and  reached  the  town  without 
being  discovered,  and  examined  it  carefully,  walking 
around  the  houses  during  the  night  with  perfect  impunity. 
While  thus  engaged,  they  came  upon  a  number  of  horses, 
belonging  to  the  Indians.  It  was  the  work  of  a  moment 
for  each  to  mount  one ;  but  not  satisfied,  they  attempted 
to  take  the  balance  with  them.  This  was  the  means  of 
their  discovery ;  as  the  time  it  took  to  secure  them,  and 
the  noise  made  in  so  doing,  aroused  the  Indians,  who  with 
the  cry  of  "  Long  Knives,"  rushed  to  the  rescue  of  their 
property. 

Kenton  and  his  men  had  now  to  ride  for  their  lives ;  but 
they  took  the  horses  along  with  them.  They  pushed  on 
at  a  furious  rate  the  whole  night,  until  they  reached  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio.  To  cross  this,  would  be  to  place  them 
in  safety,  but  the  river  was  boisterous  the  wind  being 
very  high. 

A  consultation  was  held,  when  it  was  determined  that 
Kenton  should  swim  the  river  with  the  horses,  while 
Montgomery  and  Clarke  should  construct  a  raft  oo  trans- 
port their  guns  and  baggage.  Kenton  could  not  accom- 
plish his  purpose,  the  river  being  too  high,  and  after  several 
trials,  he  was  forced  to  abandon  his  efibrt  from  exhaustion. 
The  horses  were  hid  in  a  ravine  close  by,  and  the  men 


SIMON  KENTON.    '  261 

took  their  station  in  the  wood,  waiting  for  the  wind  to 
subside.  It  did  not  abate  till  morning ;  but  it  was  too 
late  then,  the  Indians  were  upon  them.  Montgomery 
was  killed  on  the  spot,  Clark  made  his  escape,  and  then 
Kenton  was  taken  prisoner. 

The  Indians  seemed  to  be  aware  that  they  had  captured 
a  man  of  some  importance ;  and  they  not  only  exulted  in 
his  captivity,  but  practised  upon  him  every  means  of  cruelty, 
They  sarcastically  complimented  him  upon  his  fondness 
for  horses,  and  assured  him  that  he  should  ride  one  of 
their  best  animals. 

He  was  bound  securely  to  a  vicious  young  horse,  which 
was  turned  loose,  without  a  bridle,  to  follow  the  party. 

The  animal  reared  and  plunged,  and  dashed  off  through 
the  woods,  endeavoring  in  vain  to  shake  off  its  rider ;  until 
wearied  out,  it  became  tame,  and  quietly  fell  into  the  rear 
of  the  other  horses."  Still  Kenton's  situation  was  painful 
in  the  extreme,  as  every  now  and  then  the  horse  would 
stop  to  graze,  and  then  dash  off  at  full  speed,  through  the 
woods,  into  the  midst  of  the  closest  thickets,  as  though  to 
increase  his  misery. 

"On  his  arrival  at  Chillicothe,  the  most  populous  of  the 
Indian  towns  in  this  region,  he  was  painted  black,  tied  to 
the  stake,  and  suffered  to  remain  in  this  painful  situation 
for  twelve  hours,  anticipating  the  horrors  of  a  slow,  and 
cruel  death,  the  Indians  dancing  around  him,  yelling, 


262 


SIMON  KENTON. 


screaming,  and  beating  him,  during  the  time.  He  was 
led  out  in  the  morning  to  run  the  guantlet.  The  Indians, 
several  hundred  in  number,  of  both  sexes,  and  every  age 
and  rank,  armed  with  sticks,  whips,  clubs,  and  other  im- 
plements of  annoyance,  were  formed  in  two  lines,  between 
which  the  unhappy  prisoner  was  made  to  pass ;  having 
been  promised  that  if  he  reached  in  safety  the  door  of  the 
council-house,  at  the  farther  end  of  the  lines,  no  further 
punishment  would  be  inflicted.  The  moment  for  starting 
arrived, — Kenton  was  stripped  naked, — the  great  drum 
of  the  council-house  was  struck, — and  he  sprang  forward 
in  the  race.  Avoiding  the  row  of  his  enemies,  about  a 
mile  in  length,  he  turned  to  the  east,  and  drew  the  whole 
party  in  pursuit  of  him.  He  ran  with  great  activity,  now 
this  way  and  now  that,  until  observing  an  opening  he 
darted  through  it,  and  pressed  forward  to  the  council- 
house,  with  a  rapidity  which  left  his  pursuers  behind,  and 
reached  it  without  being  seriously  injured." 

A  council  was  then  held  to  determine  the  manner  of^ 
his  death,  when  it  was  decided  that  he  should  be  taken  to 
the  different  villages  for  exhibition,  and  then  burned  to 
death.  Thirteen  times  he  was  compelled  to  run  the  gaunt- 
let, and  upon  one  occasion,  nearly  escaped,  having  broko 
through  the  ranks  of  his  tormentors,  and  outstripped  his 
pursuers ;  but  he  met  a  party  of  warriors,  who  again  made 


264 


SIMON  GIETY. 


SIMOX  KEXTOX.  265 

tlim  pris-oner.  He  was  now  condemned  to  suffer  death  by 
torture. 

He  was,  however,  again  compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet, 
and  had  nearly  reached  the  goal,  when  he  was  knocked 
down  bv  a  club,  and  his  savage  tormenters  gathering 
around  him  nearly  beat  him  to  death.  He  was  then  sum- 
moned to  attend  the  council. 

"  Upon  entering  the  council-house,  the  renegade  white 
man,  the  notorious  Simon  Girty,  who  had  just  returned 
from  an  unsuccessful  expedition  against  the  frontiers  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  in  a  very  bad  humour,  threw  a 
blanket  upon  the  floor,  and  harshly  ordered  Kenton  to 
take  a  seat  upon  it.  The  order  not  being  immediately 
obeyed,  Girty  impatiently  seized,  and  threw  him  upon  the 
floor.  But  upon  learning  of  Kenton  his  name,  he  became 
greatly  agitated — and  springing  from  his  seat,  he  threw 
his  arms  around  the  prisoner's  neck,  and  embraced  him 
with  much  emotion.  Gu'ty  and  Kenton  had  served  to- 
gether in  Dunmore's  war,  before  Girty  had  deserted  to  the 
Indians,  and  they  were  bosom  friends.  He  then  turned 
to  the  assembled  warriors,  who  remained  astonished  spec- 
tators of  this  extraordinary  scene,  and  addressed  them  in 
a  short  speech,  which  the  deep  earnestness  of  his  tone, 
and  the  energy  of  his  gesture,  rendered  eloquent.  He  in- 
formed them  that  the  prisoner,  whom  they  had  just  con- 
demned to  the  stake,  was  his  ancient  comrade  and  bosom 

23 


266 


SIMON  KENTON. 


friend — that  they  had  travelled  in  the  same  war  path,  and 
slept  upon  the  same  blanket.  He  entreated  them  to  have 
compassion  upon  his  feelings — to  spare  the  agony  of 
witnessing  the  torture  of  an  old  friend,  by  the  hands  of 
his  adopted  brothers.  He  recapitulated  the  services  he 
had  rendered  the  Indians,  and  the  many  instances  of  at- 
tachment to  them  he  had  given.  The  life  of  Kenton,  he 
asked  as  the  first  and  last  favor." 

A  vote  was  taken  by  means  of  the  war  club,  when  a 
majority  refused  to  strike  the  floor,  and  Kenton  was  libe- 
rated. He  remained  with  Grirty  some  three  weeks.  Ano- 
ther party  of  chiefs  from  a  distance  arrived,  and,  notwith- 
standing the  intercessions  of  Girty,  he  was  marched  ofi*  to 
a  small  village  on  the  head  waters  of  the  Scioto,  when 
Logan,  the  celebrated  Mingo  chief,  made  intercessions  for 
him,  by  sending  runners  to  Sandusky,  but  without  success. 

He  was  taken  to  that  city,  and  through  the  influence 
of  a  British  agent,  named  Drewyer,  he  was  again  rescued 
from  the  stake.  He  was  taken  to  Detroit,  from  which 
place  he  succeeded  in  making  good  his  escape  and  after 
thirty  days  travelling  through  the  wilderness,  continually 
exposed  to  recapture,  had  the  good  fortune  to  reach  the 
settlements  in  Kentucky." 

Thus  terminated  one  of  the  most  remarkable  adventures 
in  the  whole  range  of  western  history.  He  was  exposed 
to  the  gauntlet  in  numerous  instances,  three  times  tied  tc 


SIMON  KENTON.       '  267 

the  stake,  and  as  often  thought  himself  on  the  eve  of  a 
terrible  death.  Every  friend  that  Providence  raised  up  in 
his  favor,  was  immediately  followed  by  some  enemy,  who 
interposed,  and  turned  his  short  glimpse  of  sunshine  into 
deeper  darkness  than  ever.  For  three  weeks,  he  was 
wavering  between  life  and  death,  and  during  the  whole 
time,  he  was  perfectly  passive.  Scarcely  had  he  reached 
Kentucky,  ere  he  was  engaged  in  a  new  enterprise. 


THE  MURDER  OF  MISS  M'CREA. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  campaign  of  1777,  the 
Indians  had  specially  been  charged  by  Burgoyne,  to  com- 
mit no  cruelties  on  the  unresisting.  The  first  parties  heeded 
this  restriction  ;  but  it  was  impossible  for  them  to  forbear 
any  great  length  of  time.  They  became  uneasy,  and  again 
reverted  to  their  habits  of  massacre  and  plunder,  and  not 
a  few  were  victims  to  their  savage  ferocity  ;  although  the 
barbarities  practised  by  them,  excited  more  resentment 
than  terror  among  the  Americans. 
(268) 


MURDER  OF  MISS  M'CREA. 


269 


MURDER  OF  MISS  m'CREA. 


2T1 


One  event,  from  its  peculiar  circumstances,  will,  perhaps 
illustrate  more  fully,  what  we  intenied  remarking  in  rela- 
tion to  the  many  acts  of  barbarity  of  which  the  Indians, 
urged  on  by  British  gold,  were  guilty,  at  that  particular 
period  of  the  Revolution. 

A  young  lieutenant  of  the  royal  army,  named  Jones, 
gained  the  aflfections  of  a  young,  beautiful,  and  accom- 
plished young  lady,  Miss  Jane  M'Crea.  The  day  appointed 
for  the  wedding  drew  near,  and  Jones,  anxious  that  all 
should  progress  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  propriety, 
dispatched  two  Indians  to  conduct  her  from  Fort  Edward, 
her  place  of  residence,  to  him. 

Placing  every  confidence  in  the  agents  of  her  betrothed, 
she,  without  hesitation,  committed  herself  to  their  keeping. 
For  a  time  she  was  all  life  and  animation,  never  dreaming 
in  her  wild  joyousness,  of  the  fate  in  store  for  her.  A 
few  short  hours  at  most,  and  she  would  be  folded  in  a 
loving  embrace ;  a  few  short  moments,  and  she  would  join 
him,  who,  through  life,  would  shield  her  from  the  storms 
of  life. 

Alas  !  for  human  calculations.  A  dispute  arose  between 
the  Indians,  as  to  which  one  should  convey  her  to  their 
employer.  Angry  words  ensued,  the  dispute  waxed  warmer 
and  warmer,  when  one  of  the  chiefs  sunk  his  tomahawk 
into  her  brain.  Poor  girl !  but  a  moment  before,  happy 
in  the  thought  of  soon  being  united  to  one  who  had  be- 


272  MURDER  OP"  MISS  m'cREA. 

Stowed  upon  her,  his  most  ardent  love — now  cold  in  death's 
embrace. 

Her  scalp  was  purchased  by  Lieutenant  Jones,  who  im- 
mediately deserted.  Who  can  blame  him?  This  affair 
caused  a  great  excitement  throughout  the  country,  colored 
of  course,  by  the  newspapers,  and  the  people  began  to 
detest  an  enemy,  who  would  employ  such  aid  as  the  savage 
denizens  of  the  forest. 

The  murderer  was  demanded  by  Burgoyne,  who  threat- 
ened, that  if  taken  he  would  be  put  to  death ;  but,  to  the 
astonishment  of  all  classes  of  people,  he  was  afterwards 
pardoned. 


MASSACRE  AT  WYOMING. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1778,  Greneral  Schuyler  wrote 
to  Congress.  "There  is  too  much  reason  to  believe  that 
the  Indians  will  form  an  expedition  against  the  western 
frontiers  of  this  state,  (New  York,)  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 
ginia. The  next  month  he  informed  them  that  a  number 
of  the  Mohawks,  and  many  of  the  Onondagoes,  Cayugas, 
and  Senecas,  will  commence  hostilities  against  us,  as  soon 
as  they  can ;  it  would  be  prudent,  therefore,  early  to  take 
measures  to  carry  the  war  into  their  country ;  it  would 
require  no  greater  body  of  troops  to  destroy  their  towns, 
than  to  protect  the  frontier  inhabitants." 

(2T3)  , 


274 


MASSACRE  AT  WYOMING. 


No  measures  being  taken  to  check  hostilities,  numbers 
of  Indians  and  tory  refugees  commenced  depredations 
upon  the  back  settlers.  Their  expeditions  were  carried 
on  to  great  advantage,  by  the  exact  knowledge  which  the 
refugees  possessed  of  every  object  of  their  enterprise,  and 
the  immediate  intelligence  they  received  from  their  friends 
on  the  spot.  The  inhabitants  of  Wyoming  on  whom  the 
weight  of  hostilities  fell,  were  a  mixture  of  tories  and 
"whigs,  who  were  always  quarrelling  among  themselves. 

Besides  the  tories,  an  unusual  number  of  strangers  came 
to  the  town,  but  being  suspected  of  treachery,  they  were 
sent  to  Coifnecticut  to  be  tried  for  their  lives,  the  others 
were  expelled.  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler,  who  was  then 
second  in  command,  sent  several  letters  to  Congress  and 
General  Washington  for  assistance :  the  number  of  men 
in  the  town  being  small,  on  account  of  one  thousand  men 
being  sent  to  the  Continental  army  ;  but  they  were  inter- 
cepted by  the  Pennsylvania  tories. 

The  town  was  defended  by  four  forts,  built  to  defend 
it  on  account  of  its  remote  situation.  Before  the  main 
attack,  some  parties  made  sudden  irruptions,  and  through 
ignorance,  or  contempt  of  all  ties,  murdered  the  wife  and 
five  children  of  one  of  those  who  was  sent  to  Connecticut 
for  trial,  in  their  own  cause.  At  length,  in  the  beginning 
of  July,  the  enemy,  to  the  number  of  sixteen  hundred 
men  appeared  on  the  Susquehanna,  headed  by  ColonelJohn 


MASSACRE  AT  WYOMING. 


277 


COLONEL  ZEBULON  BUTLER. 


Butler,  cousin  to  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler,  -who  was  second 
in  command  at  the  fort.  One  of  the  smaller  forts,  garri- 
soned chiefly  by  tories,  was  given  up  or  betrayed.  Ano- 
ther was  taken  by  storm  and  the  women  and  children 
massacred.  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler,  leaving  a  small 
uumber  at  Tort  Wilkesbarre,  crossed  the  river  with  four 
hundred  men  to  Fort  Kingston,  whither  all  the  women 
and  children  fled  for  protection. 

Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  was  afterwards  enticed  by  his 
cousin  to  abandon  the  fort.  He  agreed  to  march  out, 
and  hold  a  parley  for  the  conclusion  of  a  treaty.  Distrust- 
ing the  enemy,  he  went  with  a  body  guard  of  four  hundred 

24 


278  MASSACRE  AT  WYOMING. 

men,  (nearly  all  in  the  fort)  to  the  place  of  meeting,  where 
being  surrounded  by  the  enemy,  the  whole  number  were 
massacred,  except  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  and  seventy 
men  who  escaped.  The  men  went  to  Fort  Wilkesbarre, 
but  Butler  went  to  Fort  Kingston,  which  was  next  day 
invested  on  the  land  side.  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  went 
with  his  wife  and  children  down  the  river,  and  is  thought 
to  be  the  only  officer  who  escaped. 

The  fort  was  surrendered  to  the  enemy  after  a  pro- 
tracted struggle,  and  the  inhabitants  shut  up  in  the  bar- 
racks and  burnt  alive.  Fort  Wilkesbarre  surrendered 
in  hopes  of  mercy  unconditionally.  Seventy  Continental 
soldiers  who  were  found  in  the  fort,  were  butchered  with 
every  circumstance  of  horrific  cruelty.  The  remainder 
of  the  inhabitants  were,  as  before,  shut  up  in  the  houses 
and  burnt  alive. 

The  whole  town  was  now  burned  with  the  exception  of 
the  tories'  houses,  which  appeared  like  islands  in  the  midst 
of  the  desolation.  The  merciless  ravagers  cut  out  the 
tongues  of  the  cattle,  and  left  them  alive  to  prolong  their 
torture.  Captain  Bedlock  was  stripped  naked,  stuck  full 
of  pine  splinters,  and  then  burned  alive;  his  companions, 
Captains  Banson  and  Durgee  were  thrown  alive  into  the 
flames,  and  held  down  with  pitchforks. 

Many  were  the  enormities  practised  by  the  Indians ;  but 
we  have  given  enough  of  these  horrible  details.  The 


MASSACRE  AT  WYOMING.  279 

broken  parts  and  scattered  relics  of  families,  consisting 
mostly  of  women  and  children,  who  had  escaped  to  the 
woods  during  the  different  scenes  of  this  devastation,  suf- 
fered little  less  than  their  friends,  who  had  perished 
in  the  ruins  of  their  houses.  Dispersed  and  wandering  in 
the  forests,  as  chance  and  fear  directed,  without  provision 
or  covering,  thev  had  a  long  tract  of  country  to  traverse, 
and  many,  without  doubt,  perished  in  the  woods. 


TREASON  OF  ARNOLD. 

It  Tfas  fully  expected  that  the  year  1780,  would  pass 
without  any  memorable  event,  except  the  capture  of 
Charleston  by  the  British  under  Sir  Henry  Clinton ;  but 
both  armies  were  aroused,  and  deeply  affected  by  an  un- 
looked  for  occurrence,  on  the  part  of  the  Americans  at 
least.  We  have  reference  to  the  treason  o*f  General 
Benedict  Arnold,  and  the  execution  of  Major  Andre. 

Arnold  had  acquired  a  very  high  reputation  for  bravery 
and  patriotism,  and  no  officer  of  the  American  army  pos- 
sessed greater  military  talents.  While  the  laurels  won  by 
(280) 


TKEASON  OF  AENOLD.  281 

hhn  at  Ticonderoga,  Quebec,  and  Lake  Champlain,  at 
Danbury  and  Saratoga,  were  yet  fresh  in  ihe  memory  of 
the  American  people,  he,  by  an  act  of  dishonor  and 
treachery,  rendered  his  after  life  one  of  misery  and  wretch- 
edness. G-old,  in  his  estimation,  seemed  a  balm  for  every 
ill,  and  he  did  not  seem  to  care  how,  so  he  possessed  it. 

He  solicited  and  obtained  from  Washington,  in  conse- 
quence, as  he  alleged,  of  his  wounds  preventing  him  from 
active  service,  command  of  the  fort  at  West  Point,  at  that 
time  considered  the  Gibraltar  of  America ;  in  short,  it  was 
deemed  almost  impregnable. 

It  appears  that  previous  to  his  application  for  this  ap- 
pointment, he  had  signified  to  Colonel  Robinson,  his 
change  of  principles,  and  desire  of  joining  the  British 
army.  A  correspondence  was  entered  into,  between  him 
and  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  He  proposed  to  surrender  the 
fort,  in  a  plan  concocted  between  themselves,  by  which 
all  the  men  under  his  command  would  have  to  suiTender 
or  be  cut  to  pieces. 

Andre  was  selected  as  the  person  to  whom  the  arrange- 
ments for  the  execution  of  the  treason  should  be  com- 
mitted. After  some  correspondence  had  passed  between 
them  in  a  mercantile  style,  under  the  feigned  names  of 
Gustavus  and  Anderson,  the  Vulture  sloop-of-war  moved 
up  the  North  river,  and  took  a  station  near  enough  to  be 

convenient,  without  exciting  suspicion. 

24  * 


282 


TREASON  OF  ARNOLD. 


MAJOR  ANDRE. 

The  visit  of  Washington  to  Hartford  was  the  time  agreed 
upon  for  bringing  matters  to  a  crisis.  A  boat  was  dis- 
patched to  the  Vulture,  which  conveyed  Andre  to  the  beach, 
without  the  posts  of  both  armies,  with  a  pass,  under  the 
name  of  John  Anderson.  He  remained  in  conference 
with  Arnold  until  the  dawn  of  day.  He  lay  concealed  at 
the  house  of  a  Mr.  Smith,  near  the  river,  the  whole  of 
that  day.  That  night,  however,  the  boatmen  refused  to 
convey  him  on  board  the  Vulture.  In  this  strait,  he  was 
induced  by  Arnold  to  lay  aside  his  regimentals,  and  travel 
by  land,  he  furnishing  him  with  a  pass,  stating  that  the 


TPuEASOX  OF  AETTOLD.  2S5 

bearer.  John  Anderson,  was  upon  pjnblic  business,  and  to 
pemit  him  ''to  get  to  the  lines  at  "White  Plains,  or  lower 
if  he  thought  proper." 

He  set  out  on  the  22nd  of  September,  on  horseback, 
and  had  nearly  reached  the  British  lines,  when  he  was 
snddenlv  stopped  by  three  militia  men,  named  Paulding, 
Williams,  and  Van  Wart.  Andre  was  so  surprised,  that 
he  forgot  his  pass,  and  asked  one  of  the  men  where  he 
"beloncred.  and  bein^  answered  '"'to  below."  replied  imme- 
diately.  and  so  do  1."  He  stated  that  he  was  a  British 
officer  upon  ui^gent  business,  and  begged  to  be  permitted 
to  continue  his  journey.  He  soon  'discovered  his  mistake, 
and  his  confusion  was  so  great,  that  the  men  proceeded 
to  examine  his  person,  until  in  his  boot  were  found  the 
papers,  in  Arnold's  hand  wriring. 

Andre  offered  his  captors  a  purse  of  gold,  with  his  valu- 
able watch,  to  let  him  pass ;  but  they  were  not  to  be 
bribed.  He  was  taken  before  Ccdonel  Jameson,  who  had 
command  of  the  scouting  parties  of  militia.  Fearful  of 
involving  Arnold,  Jameson  procured  permission  of  his 
commanding  officer,  to  write  to  Arnold,  acquainting  him 
"^ith  the  arrest  of  Anderson. 

Andre,  convinced  that  there  remained  no  hope  of  escape, 
-himself  wrote  to  Washington,  stating  his  real  name  and 
rank,  and  enclosing  all  the  papers  found  upon  his  person 
when  taken,  and  endeavoring  to  shovr  that  he  did  not 


TREASON  OF  ARNOLD. 


come  under  the  description  of  a  spy.  Jameson  also  for- 
warded this  packet,  but  the  messenger  missed  Washing- 
ton, by  taking  a  different  road  to  that  taken  by  the  general 
on  his  return  from  Hartford. 

Arnold  received  the  news  of  the  capture  of  Major  Andre, 
some  hours  before  Washington  reached  West  Point. 
Pretending  he  was  suddenly  called  to  West  Point,  he 
hastened  on  board  the  Vulture  and  escaped. 

Washington,  not  finding  Arnold  as  he  had  expected, 
returned  to  camp,  where  he  received  Andre's  letter,  to- 
gether with  the  papers  found  in  his  boots,  which  at  once 
explained  Arnold's  absence.  Measures  were  immediately 
taken  to  secure  the  posts  in  the  Highlands,  and  an  una- 
availing  effort  made  to  secure  the  traitor. 

A  board  of  officers  was  summoned,  Greene  being  presi 
dent,  to  inquire  into  the  nature  of  Andre's  offence,  and  to 
determine  the  punishment  which  it  deserved.  Andre 
made  a  full  and  free  confession  of  his  guilt,  seeking  only 
to  place  his  character  in  as  honorable  a  light  as  possible. 
The  board  reported  that  he  was  taken  as  a  spy,  and  as 
such,  agreeably  to  the  law  of  nations,  he  ought  to  suffer 
death.    Washington  approved  the  decision. 

Clinton  was  deeply  concerned  for  the  fate  of  Andre, 
and  while  he  was  confined  under  sentence,  made  every 
exertion  to  rescue  him  from  his  fate.  He  first  represented 
that  Andre  was  entitled  to  the  protection  of  a  flag ;  but 


TREASON  OF  ARNOLD.  289 

ttie  gallant  major  himself  disclaime'l  this  false  pretext. 
Clinton  then  proposed  an  interview  between  Lieutenant- 
General  Robertson  and  General  Green  ;  but  no  new  facts 
were  elicited  at  this  meeting.  As  a  last  resort,  a  letter 
from  Arnold,  filled  with  threats,  was  presented ;  but  this 
was  treated  with  the  contempt  it  deserved. 

Andre  was  very  anxious  to  have  his  sentence  mitigated. 
The  idea  of  death  by  hanging,  usually  inflicted  upon  persons 
in  his  situation,  affected  him  deeply.  He  wished  to  die 
as  a  soldier,  and  not  as  a  criminal.  Washington  consulted 
his  officers  upon  this  subject ;  but  they  were  of  opinion 
that  the  public  good  required  his  punishment  in  the  usual 
way.  Of  this  he  was  kept  ignorant  until  the  time  had 
arrived  for  his  execution,  October  2nd,  when,  on  first  be- 
holding the  fatal  preparations,  he  inquired  "  Must  I  die 
in  this  manner?"  He  soon  after  added,  It  will  be  but 
a  momentary  pang,"  and  only  requested  them  to  witness 
that  he  died  like  a  brave  man.  His  melancholy  fate  was 
universally  regretted.  The  sympathy  he  had  excited  in 
the  American  camp  was  unexampled  under  any  similar 
circumstances,  and  the  event  deeply  affected  the  whole 
royal  army.  ^ 

The  three  militia-men  whose  unshaken  attachment  to 

their  country  was  perhaps  the  means  of  preserving  its 

liberties,  were  not  suffered  to  go  unrewarded.    On  the  3d 

of  November  it  was  resolved,  "  That  Congress  have  a  high 

25 


290 


TREASON  OF  ARNOLD. 


sense  of  the  virtuous  and  patriotic  conduct  of  John  Pauld- 
ing, David  Williams,  and  Isaac  Van  Wart,"  and  that 
each  of  them  should  receive  annually,  through  life,  two 
hundred  dollars  in  specie,  and  that  the  board  of  war  be 
directed  to  procure  for  each  of  them  a  silver  medal,  em- 
blematic of  their  fidelity  and  patriotism^  to  be  presented 
by  the  commander-in-chief,  with  a  copy  of  the  resolutions. 


PATRIOTISM  OF  ELIZABETH  ZANE. 

Among  the  many  instances  of  female  heroism,  during 
the  war  of  the  revolution,  amongst  the  settlers  on  our 
frontiers,  the  following  may  be  deemed  one  of  the  most 
daring. 

In  1781,  Wheeling  was  besieged  by  a  large  army  of 
British  and  Indians.  So  suddenly  was  the  attack  made, 
that  no  time  was  afforded  for  preparation.  The  fort,  at 
the  time  of  the  assault,  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Silas 
Zane ;  and  Colonel  Ebenezer  Zane  the  senior  officer,  was 
in  ar  block-house,  some  fifty  or  a  hundred  yards  outside 

(291) 


292  PATRIOTISM  OF  ELIZABETH  ZANE. 

the  wall.  The  enemy  made  several  desperate  assaults  to 
break  into  the  fort,  but  on  every  onset  they  were  driven 
back.  The  ammunition  for  the  defence  of  the  fort  was 
deposited  in  the  block-house,  and  the  attack  was  made  so 
suddenly  and  unexpectedly  that  there  was  no  time  to  re- 
move it.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day  of  the  siege, 
the  powder  in  the  fort  was  nearly  exhausted,  and,  no  alter- 
native remained  but  that  some  one  must  pass  through  the 
enemy's  fire  to  the  block-house  for  powder.  When  Silas 
Zane  made  the  proposition  to  the  men,  to  see  if  any  one 
would  undertake  the  hazardous  enterprise,  at  first  all  were 
silent.  After  looking  at  each  other  for  some  time,  a  young 
man  stepped  forward  and  said  he  would  run  the  chance. 
Immediately  half  a  dozen  offered  their  service  in  the  dan- 
gerous enterprise. 

While  they  were  disputing  about  who  should  go,  Eliza- 
beth, a  sister  of  the  Zanes,  came  forward  and  declared  she 
would  go^or  the  powder.  Her  brother  thought  she  would 
flinch  from  the  enterprise,  but  he  was  mistaken.  She  had 
the  intrepidity  and  fortitude  to  bear  her  up  in  the  heroic 
risk  of  her  life.  Her  brother  then  tried  to  dissuade  her 
from  the  attempt,  by  saying  that  a  man  would  be  more 
fleet,  and  consequently  would  run  less  risk  of  losing  his 
life.  She  replied  that  they  had  not  a  man  to  spare  from 
the  defence  of  the  fort,  and  if  she  should  fall,  she  would 
scarcely  be  missed.    She  then  divested  herself  of  such  of 


25* 


PATRIOTISM  OF  ELIZABETH  ZANE.  295 

her  clothing  as  would  impede  her  speed.  The  gate  was 
then  opened,  and  Elizabeth  bounded  out  at  the  top  of  her 
speed,  and  ran  till  she  arrived  at  the  door  of  the  block- 
house ;  her  brother,  Colonel  Zane,  hastened  to  open  the 
door  to  receive  his  intrepid  sister.  The  Indians,  when 
they  saw  her  bound  forth,  did  not  fire  a  gun,  but  called 
aloud,  "  Squaw  1  squaw  !  squaw  !"  When  she  had  told  her 
brother  the  errand  on  which  she  had  come,  he  took  a  table- 
cloth and  fastened  it  around  her  waist,  and  poured  into  it 
a  keg  of  powder.  She  then  sallied  back  to  the  fort  with 
all  the  buoyancy  of  hope. — The  moment  she  was  outsiuo 
the  block-house,  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  line  pour.ed  a 
leaden  storm  at  her ;  but  the  balls  went  innocently  whist- 
ling by,  without  doing  her  any  injury. 


COLONEL  FLEURY, 


STONY  POINT. 

Among  the  many  exploits  of  gallantry  and  prowesa 
"wliicli  shed  a  lustre  on  the  fame  of  our  revolutionary  army, 
the  storming  of  the  fort  at  Stony  Point  has  always  been 
considered  one  of  the  most  brilliant. 

To  General  Wayne,  who  commanded  the  light  infantry 
of  the  army,  the  execution  of  the  plan  was  entrusted. 
Secrecy  was  deemed  so  much  more  essential  to  success 
than  numbers,  that  it  was  thought  unadvisable  to  add 
to  the  force  already  on  the  lines.  One  brigade  was 
ordered  to  commence  its  march,  so  as  to  reach  the  scene 
;296) 


STONY  POINT. 


297 


MAJOR  LEE.  ^ 


of  action  in  time  to  cover  the  troops  engaged  in  the  attack, 
in  case  of  any  unlooked  for  disaster  ;  and  Major  Lee,  of 
the  light  dragoons,  who  had  been  eminently  useful  in  ob- 
taining the  intelligence  which  led  to  the  enterprise,  was 
associated  with  General  Wayne,  as  far  as  cavalry  could  be 
employed  in  such  a  service. 

The  night  of  the  15th  of  July,  1779,  was  fixed  on  for 
the  assault ;  and  it  being  suspected  that  the  garrison 
wculd  be  more  on  their  guard  towards  day,  twelve  o  clock 
vacj  chosen  for  the  hour. 

Stony  Point  is  a  commanding  hill,  projecting  far  into 


298 


STONY  POINT. 


the  Hudson,  which  washes  three-fourths  of  its  base.  The 
remaining  fourth  is,  in  a  great  measure,  covered  by  a  deep 
marsh,  commencing  near  the  river  on  the  upper  side,  and 
continuing  into  it  below.  Over  this  marsh,  there  is  one 
crossing-place.  But  at  its  junction  with  the  river  is  a  sandy 
beach  passable  at  low  tide.  On  the  summit  of  this  hill  was 
erected  the  fort,  which  was  furnished  with  a  sufficient 
number  of  heavy  pieces  of  ordnance.  'Several  breast- 
works and  strong  batteries  were  advanced  in  front  of  the 
principal  work,  and  about  half  way  down  the  hill,  were  two 
rows  of  abbatis.  The  batteries  were  calculated  to  com- 
mand the  beach  and  the  crossing-place  of  the  marsh,  and 
to  rake  and  enfilade  any  column  which  might  be  advancing 
from  either  of  those  points  towards  the  fort.  In  addition 
to  these  defences,  several  vessels  of  war  were  stationed  in 
the  river,  so  as,  in  a  considerable  degree,  to  command 
the  ground  at  the  foot  of  the  hill. 

The  fort  was  garrisoned  by  about  six  hundred  men, 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Johnson. 

At  noon  of  the  day  preceding  the  night  of  the  attack, 
the  light  infantry  commenced  their  march  from  Sandy 
Beach,  distant  fourteen  miles  from  Stony  Point,  and 
passing  through  an  excessively  rugged  and  mountainou.. 
country,  arrived  about  eight  in  the  afternoon  at  Spring 
Steel's,  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  fort,  where  the  dis- 
positions for  the  assault  were  made. 


STOXY  POIXT. 


299 


STORMIN&  OF  ST0:N^Y  POINT. 

It  was  intended  to  attack  the  works  on  tlie  riglit  and 
left  flank  at  the  same  instant.  The  regiments  of  Febiger, 
and  of  Meigo:s.  with  Major  Hull's  detachment,  formed  the 
right  column,  and  Butler's  regiment,  with  two  companies 
under  Major  ]\Iurfree.  formed  the  left.  One  hundred 
and  fifty  volunteers,  led  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Fleury  and 
Major  Posey,  constituted  the  van  of  the  right ;  and  one 
hundred  volunteers,  under  Major  Stewart,  composed  the 
van  of  the  left.  At  half  past  eleven,  the  two  columns 
moved  on  to  the  charge,  the  van  of  each  with  unloaded 
muskets  and  fixed  bayonets.  They  were  each  preceded  by 


800 


STONY  POINT. 


a  forlorn  hope  of  twenty  men,  the  one  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Gibbon,  and  the  other  by  Lieutenant  Knox, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  remove  the  abbatis  and  other  obstruc- 
tions, in  order  to  open  a  passage  for  the  columns  which 
followed  close  in  the  rear. 

Proper  measures  having  been  taken  to  secure  every 
individual  on  the  route,  who  could  give  intelligence  of  their 
approach,  the  Americans  reached  the  marsh  undiscovered. 
But  unexpected  difficulties  were  experienced  in  surmount- 
ing this  and  other  obstructions  in  the  way,  the  assault  did 
not  commence  until  twenty  minutes  after  twelve.  Both 
columns  then  rushed  forward,  under  a  tremendous  fire  of 
musketry  and  grape-shot.  Surmounting  every  obstacle,  they 
entered  the  works  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  without 
having  discharged  a  single  piece,  obtained  complete  pos- 
session of  the  post.  The  humanity  displayed  by  the 
conquerors  was  not  less  conspicuous,  nor  less  honorable, 
than  their  courage.  Not  a  single  individual  suffered  after 
resistance  had  ceased. 

All  the  troops  engaged  in  this  perilous  service  manifested 
a  degree  of  ardour  and  impetuosity  which  proved  them  to 
be  capable  of  the  most  difficult  enterprises  ;  and  all  distin- 
guished themselves  whose  situation  enabled  them  to  do  so. 
Colonel  Fleury  was  the  first  to  enter  the  fort,  and  strike  the 
British  standard.  Major  Posey  mounted  the  works  almost 
at  the  same  instant,  and  was  the  first  to  give  the  watch- 


STONY  POINT.  301 

word — "  The  fort's  our  own."  Lieutenants  Gibbon  and 
Knox  performed  the  service  allotted  to  them  with  a  degree 
of  intrepidity  which  could  not  be  surpassed.  Out  of  twenty 
men  who  constituted  the  party  of  the  former,  seventeen 
were  killed  or  wounded. 

The  loss  sustained  by  the  garrison  was  not  considerable. 
The  retui^n  made  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Johnson,  repre- 
sented their  dead  at  only  twenty,  including  one  captain,  and 
their  wounded  at  six  ofScers  and  sixty-eight  privates.  The 
return  made  by  General  Wayne  states  their  dead  at  sixty- 
three,  including  two  officers.  This  difference  may  be 
accounted  for,  by  supposing,  that  among  those  Colonel 
Johnson  supposed  to  be  missing,  there  were  many  killed. 

The  prisoners  amounted  to  five  hundred  and  forty-three, 
among  whom  were  one  lieutenant-colonel,  four  captains 
and  twenty  subaltern  officers.  The  military  stores  taken 
in  the  fort  were  also  considerable. 

The  loss  sustained  by  the  assailants  was  by  no  means 
proportioned  to  the  apparent  danger  of  the  enterprise. 

The  killed  and  wounded  did  not  exceed  one  hundred 
men.  General  "Wayne  himself,  who  marched  at  the  head 
of  Febiger's  regiment  in  the  right  column,  received  a 
slight  wound  in  the  head,  which  stunned  him  for  a  time, 
but  did  not  compel  him  to  leave  the  column.  Being  sup- 
ported by  his  aids,  he  entered  the  fort  with  the  regiment 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Hay  was  also  among  the  woundecl 

26 


302 


STONY  POINT. 


The  intrepidity,  joined  with  humanity,  its  noblest  com- 
panions, displayed  on  that  occasion  by  the  Pennsylvania 
Hero  and  his  brave  followers,  cannot  be  too  highly 
esteemed  nor  too  frequently  commemorated. 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 
If  ever  there  was  a  man  in  modern  times  in  whom  there 
dwelt  the  soul  of  a  sea-king,  that  man  was  the  celebrated 
John  Paul  Jones.  He  gained  the  most  brilliant  victory 
won  upon  the  ocean  during  the  war  of  independence; 
and  throughout  his  whole  splendid  career  he  exhibited  a 
degree  of  courage  and  ability  which  has  not  been  surpassed 
by  one  of  those  who  have  succeeded  him  in  the  brilliant 
line  of  our  naval  heroes. 

(308) 


304 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 


Receiving  command  of  a  small  squadron,  of  which  Le 
Bon  Homme  Richard  was  the  principal  vessel,  he  cruised 
along  the  coast  of  England  and  Scotland,  and  finally  on 
the  24th  of  September,  he  fell  in  with  a  fleet  of  merchants 
men,  convoyed  by  the  frigate  Serapis,  and  a  smaller  vessel 
the  Countess  of  Scarborough.  The  people  were  gathered 
in  great  numbers  on  the  surrounding  heights,  to  witness 
the  scene  about  ensuing. 

The  Serapis  had  every  advantage  over  the  Richard  in  the 
number  and  calibre  of  guns,  and  in  being  more  manageable 
than  her  antagonist.  This  advantage  was  somewhat 
lessened,  however,  by  the  Serapis  running  her  bowsprit 
between  the  poop  and  mizzenmast  of  the  Bon  Homme 
Richard,  when  Jones,  with  his  own  hands,  lashed  it  fast, 
and  brought  the  two  vessels  together.  The  ships  were  thus 
engaged  from  half-past  eight  till  half-past  ten,  the  muzzles 
of  their  guns  touching  each  other's  sides.  One  of  the  men 
in  the  Bon  Homme  Richard  carried  a  basket  of  hand- 
grenades  out  on  the  mainyard,  and  threw  them  among  the 
crew  of  the  Serapis.  At  half-past  eight,  one  of  these  com- 
bustibles exploded  a  cartridge-magazine,  blew  up  among 
the  people  abaft  the  main-mast,  and  rendered  all  the  guns 
on  that  side  useless.  The  two  ships  were  frequently  on 
fire  during  the  action,  and  the  spectacle  was  inexpressibly 
awful.  Finding  that  he  was  unable  longer  to  defend  his 
ship,  and  his  convoy  having  in  the  mean  time  escaped  to 


.."I 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES.  S07 

such  a  distance  as  to  remove  any  fears  of  their  capture, 
Captain  Pearson  of  the  Serapis  struck  his  flag,  when  Jones 
immediately  transferred  his  crew  on  board  of  her,  as  the 
Bon  Homme  Richard  was  in  a  sinking  condition. 

Whilst  the  action  between  the  two  larger  vessels  was 
maintained,  the  Pallas  engaged,  and  after  two  hours' 
fighting,  compelled  the  Countess  of  Scarborough  to 
suiTender.  On  the  2oth,  the  Bon  Homme  Richard,  after 
every  exertion  on  the  part  of  Commodore  Jones  to  save 
her,  went  down.  Jones  sailed  for  Holland  with  his  prizes, 
and  on  the  3d  of  October  anchored  oflf  the  Texel,  having 
taken  during  the  short  cruise  prizes  estimated  to  amount 
to  more  than  X-iO,000 


GENERAL  SUMTER. 

BATTLE  OF  KING'S  MOUNTAIN. 

After  the  battle  of  Camden,  the  British  had  almost  entire 
possession  of  the  South  and  were  congratulating  them- 
selves upon  the  easy  conquest  and  entire  submission  of  the 
colonies.  They  were  doomed  to  disappointment,  however. 
Notwithstanding  Charleston  was  in  their  power;  the 
government  scattered ;  Gadsden  a  prisoner  doomed  to  the 
dungeon  at  St.  Augustine ;  Sumter  forced  to  retire  beyond 
(308) 


THE  BATTLE  OF  KING'S  MOUNTAIN.  311 

the  State,  on  the  one  side  and  Pickens  on  the  other,  the 
spirit  of  liberty  but  slumbered,  and  shortly  after  broke 
out  in  a  way  that  astonished  the  British. 

Rendered  desperate  by  the  severities  of  the  British,  the 
bold  and  active  among  the  patriots  formed  themselves 
anew  into  partisan  bands,  under  different  chieftains, 
Marion  and  Sumter  being  mostly  distinguished  by  the 
spirit  and  enterprise,  with  which  they  harassed  the 
British. 

Eight  of  these  leaders  of  partisan  bands,  collected  to- 
gether their  forces,  amounting  to  sixteen  hundred  men, 
and  attacked  Major  Ferguson  with  his  detachment  of 
tories,  and  regulars  on  the  tops  of  King's  Mountain,  Oc- 
tober Tth,  1780. 

The  Americans  were  commanded  by  Colonels  Lacy, 
Campbell,  Cleveland,  and  Shelby,  and  were  formed  into 
three  divisions. 

Before  commencing  the  battle,  Colonel  Cleveland 
addressed  his  men  as  follows.  It  comprises  the  whole  art 
of  war  of  a  bush  fighter. 

^'  My  brave  fellows  !  We  have  beat  the  tories,  and  we 
can  beat  them.  They  are  all  cowards.  If  they  had  the  spirit 
of  men,  they  would  join  with  their  fellow  citizens,  in  sup- 
porting the  independence  of  their  country.  When  engaged 
you  are  not  to  wait  the  word  of  command  from  me.  I  will 
ihow  you  by  my  example  how  to  fight.    I  can  undertake 


312 


THE  BATTLE  OF  KING'S  MOUNTAIN. 


no  more.    Every  man  must  consider  himself  as  an  officer 
and  act  from  his  own  judgment.  Fire  as  quick  as  you  can 
and  stand  as  long  as  you  can.  When  you  can  do  no  better 
get  behind  trees,  or  retreat;  but  I  beg  of  you  not  to  run 
quite  off.    If  we  be  repulsed,  let  us  make  a  point  to  return 
and  renew  the  fight.     Perhaps  we  may  have  better  luck 
in  the  second  attempt  than  in  the  first.    If  any  of  you  be 
afraid,  such  have  leave  to  retire ;  and  they  are  requested 
immediately  to  take  themselves  off." 

These  directions  were  literally  followed  in  the  battle. 
Ferguson  attacked  them  with  fixed  bayonets,  and 
compelled  one  party  after  another  to  retire  ;  but  they  only 
retreated  to  a  short  distance  and  getting  behind  trees  and 
rocks  reuewed  their  fire  in  almost  every  direction.  The 
British  being  uncovered  were  securely  shot  down  by  the 
assailants. 

The  close  of  the  battle  is  thus  described  by  "William  C. 
Preston. 

"  Ferguson,  with  a  gallantry  which  seemed  to  rise  with 
his  desperate  condition,  rode  from  rank  to  rank  and  post 
to  post,  cheering,  driving  and  encouraging  his  men,  until 
he  found  his  army  pressed,  actually  huddled  together,  on 
the  ridge,  and  falling  as  fast  as  the  Americans  could  load 
and  shoot.  He  determined  on  one  more  desperate  charge, 
and  taking  his  position  at  the  head  of  his  cavalry,  in  a 
voice  that  rose  loud  above  the  din  of  the  battle^  he 


27 


THE  BATTLE  01  KIXG'S  MOUNTAIN.  315 

summoned  his  men  '  to  crush  the  damned  rebels  into  the 
earth.'  The  summons  was  heard  by  the  Americans,  and 
one  round  of  their  rides  was  stopped,  and  instead  of  their 
roar,  there  was  heard  only  the  click  of  the  cock.  It  was  the 
serpent's  low  warning  of  coming  death.  The  pause  was 
but  for  a  moment,  when  Ferguson  and  Du  Poistre,  horse 
and  foot,  bui'st  like  an  avalanche  down  the  mountain-side, 
by  the  time  they  came  within  si^ty  paces  every  rifle  was 
loaded,  and  under  deadly  aim.  Ferguson  fell  at  the  first 
discharge,  with  seven  mortal  wounds.  The  patriots  rushed 
forward  to  meet  the  shock,  as  Du  Poistre's  regulars,  with 
bayonets  set  and  sabres  in  rest,  came  crashing  down  upon 
them — not  Agincourt  or  Cressy,  with  all  their  chivalry, 
ever  felt  a  shock  more  fearful  than  that,  but  had  the 
heavens  then  rained  British  bayonets,  it  could  not  have 
stopped  those  patriots.  The  destinies  of  America — per- 
haps of  makind — depended  on  their  muscle.  Like  martyrs, 
they  went  to  the  death ;  like  lions,  they  rushed  to  the 
carnage  ;  officer  and  soldier — half  naked,  with  blood-shot 
eyes  and  parched  tongues — pounced  upon  the  charging 
enemy,  until  their  hot  breath  and  fierce  glare  was  seen  and 
felt  by  the  craven  torv  and  his  bull-doo;  master  ;  and  as 
they  crouched,  gathering  for  the  last  spring,  a  wild  terror- 
stricken  shriek  rose  above  the  roar — a  yell  for  mercy 
— a  white  flag  was  run  up,  and  God's  champion  shouted 
*  Victory,  Liberty.'  '' 


BURNING  OF  COLONEL  CRAWFORD. 

Colonel  Crawford,  while  on  an  expedition  against 
the  Indians,  was,  together  with  Dr.  Knight,  made  a 
prisoner ;  the  balance  of  his  party  having  been  killed.  We 
purpose  merely  giving  an  account  of  his  sufferings.  They 
were  terrible  indeed ;  and  it  seems  almost  impossible  that 
such  demons  in  human  shape  could  really  exist.  Every 
new  pang  inflicted  on  their  victim  seemed  to  afford  them 
new  delight,  and  they  were  never  so  happy,  as  when  they 
(316) 


BURNING  OF  COLONEL  CRAWFORD.  319 


could  wring  a  groan  from  their  prisoner.    But  Colonel 
Crawford  perished  like  a  hero. 

Colonel  Crawford  and  Dr.  Knight  were  reserved  by 
the  Indians  for  a  dreadful  death.  They  were  taken  to  the 
main  village  of  the  Delawares,  about  eight  miles  from  the 
mouth  of  Tymochtee  creek.  There  a  council  was  held, 
and  it  was  resolved  to  burn  the  prisoners.  The  account 
of  the  burning  of  Colonel  Crawford,  we  give  in  the  words 
of  Dr.  Knight,  his  companion,  and  an  eye-witness  of  the 
dreadful  scene. 

When  we  went  to  the  fire,  the  colonel  was  stripped  naked, 
ordered  to  sit  down  by  the  fire,  and  then  they  beat  him 
with  sticks  and  their  fists.  Presently  after  I  was  treated 
in  the  same  manner.  They  then  tied  a  rope  to  the  foot 
of  a  post  about  fifteen  feet  high,  bound  the  colonel's  hands 
behind  his  back,  and  fastened  the  rope  to  the  ligature 
between  his  wrists.  The  rope  was  long  enough  for  him  to 
sit  down,  or  walk  round  the  post  once  or  twice,  and  return 
the  same  way.  The  colonel  then  called  to  Girty,  and 
asked  if  they  intended  to  burn  him  ?  Girty  answered,  yes. 

The  colonel  said  he  would  take  it  all  patiently.  Upon 
this.  Captain  Pipe,  a  Delaware  chief,  made  a  speech  to  the 
Indians,  viz.,  thirty  or  forty  men,  and  sixty  or  seventy 
squaws  and  boys. 

When  the  speech  was  finished,  they  all  yelled  a  hideous  ^  ' 
and  hearty  assent  to  what  had  been  said.    The  Indian 


^20  BURNING  OF  COLONEL  CRAWFORD. 

men  then  took  up  their  guns  and  shot  powder  into  the 
colonel's  body,  from  his  feet  as  far  up  as  his  neck.  I  think 
that  not  less  than  seventy  loads  were  discharged  upon  his 
naked  body.  They  then  crowded  about  him,  and  to  the 
best  of  my  observatioUj  cut  off  his  ears  ;  when  the  throng 
had  dispersed  a  little,  I  saw  the  blood  running  from  both 
sides  of  his  head  in  consequence  thereof. 

The  fire  was  about  six  or  seven  yards  from  the  post  to 
which  the  colonel  was  tied ;  it  was  made  of  small  hickory 
poles,  burnt  quite  through  in  the  middle,  each  end  of  the 
poles  remaining  about  six  feet  in  length.  Three  or  four 
Indians  by  turns  would  take  up,  individually,  one  of  these 
burning  pieces  of  wood,  and  apply  it  to  his  naked  body, 
already  burnt  black  with  the  powder.  These  tormentors 
presented  themselves  on  every  side  of  him  with  the  burning 
faggots  and  poles.  Some  of  the  squaws  took  broad  boards, 
upon  which  they  would  carry  a  quantity  of  burning  coals 
and  hot  embers,  and  throw  on  him,  so  that  in  a  short  time 
he  had  nothing  but  coals  of  fire  and  hot  ashes  to  walk  upon. 

In  the  midst  of  these  extreme  tortures  he  called  to 
Simon  Girty,  and  begged  of  him  to  shoot  him  ;  but  Girty 
making  no  answer,  he  called  to  him  again.  Girty  then, 
by  way  of  derision,  told  the  colonel  he  had  no  gun,  at  the 
same  time  turning  about  to  an  Indian  who  was  behind 
him,  laughed  heartily,  and  by  all  his  gestures  seemed 
delighted  at  the  horrid  scene. 


BURXIXG  OF  COLOXEL  CRAWFORD.  821 

Girty  then  came  up  to  me  and  bade  me  prepare  for  death, 
fie  said,  however,  I  was  not  to  die  at  that  place,  but  to  be 
burnt  at  the  Shawanese  town.  He  swore  an  oath  I  need 
not  expect  to  escape  death,  but  should  suffer  it  in  all  its 
exti-emities. 

Colonel  Crawford,  at  this  period  of  his  sufferings,  be- 
sought the  Almighty  to  have  mercv  on  his  soul,  spoke  very 
low,  and  in  all  the  extremities  of  pain  for  an  hour  and 
three-quarters,  or  two  hours  longer,  as  near  as  I  can, 
judge,  when  at  last,  being  almost  exhausted,  he  lay  down 
on  his  belly;  they  then  scalped  him,  and  repeatedly  threw 
the  scalp  in  my  face,  telling  me,  "that  was  my  great 
captain."  An  old  squaw  (whose  appearance  every  way 
answered  the  ideas  people  entertain  of  the  devil]  got  a 
board,  took  a  parcel  of  coals  and  ashes  and  laid  them  on 
his  back  and  head,  after  he  had  been  scalped  ;  he  then 
raised  himself  upon  his  feet  and  began  to  walk  round  the 
post  ;  they  next  put  a  burning  stick  to  him,  as  usual,  but 
he  seemed  more  insensible  of  pain  than  before. 

The  Indian  fellow  who  had  me  in  charge,  now  took  me 
away  to  Captain  Pipe's  house,  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  from  the  place  of  the  colonel's  execution.  I  was 
bound  all  night,  and  thus  prevented  from  seeing  the  last 
of  the  horrid  spectacle.  Next  morning,  being  June  12th, 
the  Indian  untied  me,  painted  me  black,  and  we  set  off 
for  the  Shawanese  town,  which  he  told  me  was  somewhat 


322  BURNING  OF  COLONEL  CRAWFORD. 

less  than  forty  miles  distant  from  that  place.  We  scon 
came  to  the  spot  where  the  colonel  had  been  burnt,  as  it 
was  partly  in  our  way ;  I  saw  his  bones  laying  among  the 
remains  of  the  fire,  almost  burnt  to  ashes  ;  I  suppose,  after 
he  was  dead,  they  laid  his  body  on  the  fire.  The  Indian 
told  me  that  was  my  big  captain,  and  gave  the  scalp 
halloo. 

Dr.  Knight  proceeded  twenty-five  miles,  under  the  guard 
of  the  Indian,  on  the  first  day,  and  then  encamped  for 
the  night.  The  next  morning,  the  gnats  being  very  trou- 
blesome, the  doctor  requested  the  Indian  to  untie  him, 
that  he  might  help  to  make  a  fire  to  keep  them  off.  The 
Indian  complied,  and  then  got  down  on  his  hands  and 
knees  to  blow  the  fire.  The  doctor  seized  the  lucky  moment, 
caught  up  a  piece  of  tent-pole  and  struck  the  Indian  on 
the  head,  knocking  him  forward  into  the  fire.  The  stick 
broke,  however,  and  the  Indian  though  severely  hurt, 
sprang  up.  The  doctor  seized  his  gun,  and  attempted  to 
fire  it,  but  the  lock  broke.  The  Indian  then  ran  away, 
yelling  hideously.  Doctor  Knight  started  for  home, 
which  he  reached  after  wandering  twenty-one  days,  and 
suffering  for  want  of  food.  ^ 

Most  of  the  other  prisoners  taken  by  the  savages  in 
this  disastrous  campaign  were  murdered.  John  Slover, 
who  had  been  the  pilot  of  the  army,  was  captured  and 
taken  to  the  Shawanese  town  to  be  burned.    He  was 


BrK^iIN'G  OF  COLOXEL  CRAWPORS.  ■  S2Z 

J)ainted  and  tied  to  the  stake,  when  a  heavy  thunder  storm 
commenced,  and  the  fire  was  extinguished.  The  burninoj 
was  postponed  until  the  next  dav,  and  Slover  was  tied 
and  placed  in  the  council-house,  under  guard.  During  the 
night,  he  contrived  to  get  loose,  and  ran  off  through  the 
Tvoods.  After  enduring  many  hardships,  he  reached 
"^^"heeling.  almost  exhausted.  The  main  body  of  the  arn  j 
had  reached  that  post  before  his  arrival. 


BATTLE  OF  THE  COWPENS. 

In  1780,  the  British  had  entire  possession  of  the  dis- 
trict called  Ninetj-Six ;  but  the  great  excesses  indulged 
in  by  the  soldiers  of  the  British  army,  produced  a  growing 
feeling  of  discontent  among  the  inhabitants,  which  in- 
duced General  Greene  to  dispatch  General  Morgan  to 
their  relief,  and  to  regain,  if  possible,  what  they  before 
had  lost.  On  his  appearance,  many  of  the  people  gladly 
took  up  arms  in  the  cause  of  independence,  and  acted  in 
concert  with  the  Americans. 

Lord  Cornwallis  was  at  this  time  advancing  for  the 
(324) 


BATTLE  OF  THE  COWPEJ^S.  325 

pjrpose  of  invading  Xorth  Carolina,  and,  hearing  of  this 
irruption,  dispatclied  Colonel  Tarleton  with  eleven  hun- 
dred men,  to  "push  him  to  the  utmost." 

Tarleton's  force  outnumbered  Morgan's  in  the  propor- 
tion of  five  to  four  of  infantry,  and  three  to  one  of  cavalry, 
beside  two  field  pieces  ;  two-thirds  of  Morgan's  troops 
were  militia. 

With  all  these  advantages,  Tarleton  met  Morgan  at 
the  Cowpens,  on  the  ITth  of  January,  1781,  fully  ex 
pecting  to  drive  him  out  of  South  Carolina. 

The  latter  drew  up  his  men  in  two  hues.  The  whole 
of  the  southern  militia,  with  one  hundred  and  ninety  from 
North  Carolina,  were  put  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Pickens.  These  formed  the  first  line,  and  were  advanced 
a  few  hundred  yards  before  the  second,  with  orders  to  form 
on  the  right  of  the  second,  when  forced  to  retire.  The 
second  line  consisted  of  the  light  infantry,  and  a  corps  of 
Yircrinia  militia  riflemen.  Lieutenant-Colonel  TVashino;- 
ton,  with  his  cavalry,  and  about  forty-five  militia  men, 
mounted  and  equipped  with  swords,  were  drawn  up  at 
some  distance  in  the  rear  of  the  whole.  The  open  wood, 
in  which  they  were  formed,  was  neither  secured  in  front, 
flank  or  rear.  On  the  side  of  the  British,  the  light  legion 
infantry  and  fusileers,  thpugh  worn  down  with  extreme 
fatigue,  were  ordered  to  form  in  line.  Before  this  order 
was  executed,  the  lino,  though  far  from  being  complete, 


was  led  to  the  attack  by  Tarleton  himself.  They  advanced 
with  a  shout,  and  poured  in  an  incessant  fire  of  musketry. 
Colonel  Pickens  directed  the  men  under  his  command  to 
retain  their  fire,  until  the  British  were  within  forty  or  fifty 
yards.  This  order,  though  executed  with  great  firmness 
was  not  sufficient  to  repel  their  , advancing  foes.  The  mi- 
litia fell  back ;  but  were  soon  rallied  by  their  officers. 
The  British  advanced,  and  engaged  the  second  line,  which, 


BATTLE  OF  THE  COTVPEXS.  327 

after  an  obstinate  conflict^  ^vas  compel] el  to  retreat  to 
the  cavalrv.  In  this  crisis,  Colonel  Washington  made  a 
successful  charge  on  Tarleton.  who  vras  cutting  down  the 
militia.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Howard,  almost  at  the  same 
moment,  rallied  the  continental  troops,  and  charged  with 
fixed  bayonets.  The  example  was  instantly  followed  by 
the  militia.  Xothing  could  exceed  the  astonishment  and 
confusion  of  the  British,  occasioned  by  these  unexpected 
charges.  Their  advance  fell  back  on  their  rear,  and  com- 
municated a  panic  to  the  whole.  Tarleton's  pieces  of 
artillery  were  seized  by  the  Americans  ;  and  the  grearest 
confusion  took  place  among  his  infantry.  While  they 
were  in  this  state  of  disorder.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Howard 
called  to  them,  to  '"lay  down  their  arms,"  and  promised 
them  good  quarters.  Some  hundreds  accepted  the  offer 
and  surrendered.  The  first  battalion  of  the  71st,  and  two 
British  light  infantry  companies,  laid  down  their  arms  to 
the  American  militia.  A  party,  which  had  been  left  some 
distance  in  the  rear,  to  guard  the  baggage,  was  the  only 
body  of  infantry  that  escaped.  The  officer  of  that  de- 
tachment, on  hearing  of  Tarleton's  defeat,  destroyed  a 
great  part  of  the  baggage,  and  retreated  to  Lord  Corn- 
wallis.  Three  hundred  of  the  British  were  killed  or 
wounded,  and  above  five  hundred  prisoners  taken.  Eight 
hundred  muskets,  two  field  pieces,  thirty-five  baggage- 
wagons,  and  one  hundred  dragoon  horses,  fell  into  the 


328  BATTLE  OF  THE  COWPENS. 

hands  of  the  conquerors.  The  Americans  had  only  twelvf 
men  killed,  and  sixty  wounded. 

General  Morgan's  good  conduct,  on  this  memorable 
day,  was  honored  by  congress  with  a  gold  medal.  They 
also  presented  medals  of  silver  to  Lieutenant-Colonels 
Washington  and  Howard,  a  sword  to  Colonel  Pickens,  a 
brevet  majority  to  Edward  Giles,  thegenei  al's  aid-de-camp, 
and  a  captaincy  to  Baron  Glassbeck.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Tarleton,  hitherto  triumphant  in  a  variety  of  skirmishes, 
on  this  occasion  lost  his  laurels,  though  he  was  supported 
by  the  7th  regiment,  one  battalion  of  the  71st,  and  two 
companies  of  light  infantry  :  and  his  repulse  did  more  es- 
sential injury  to  the  British  interest,  than  was  equivalent 
to  all  the  preceding  advantages  he  had  gained.  It  was 
the  first  link  in  a  chain  of  causes,  which  finally  drew  down 
ruin,  both  in  North  and  South  Carolina,  on  the  royal 
interest. 


BAROX  STEUBEX. 


BAROX  STEUBEX. 

The  French  ship  rileureux.  hiden  Tvith  arms  and  mu 
nitions  of  war  for  the  use  of  the  armj  of  the  United  State3 
arrived  at  Portsmouth,  in  Xew  Hampshire,  on  the  1st  of 
December,  1T7T. 

One  of  her  passengers  was  Baron  Steuben,  an  ofacer 
of  the  Prussian  army,  and  aid-de-camp  to  Frederick  the 
Great.    He  was  eminently  fitted  to  introduce  the  military 

28*  (320) 


830  BARON  STEUBEN. 

tactics  and  discipline  of  one  of  the  greatest  monarchs  of 
'Europe,  into  the  American  army,  having  been,  while  in 
the  service  of  Frederick,  at  the  head  of  the  quartel-mas- 
ter's  department. 

In  the  summer  of  1777,  he  went  to  Paris,  intending  to 
visit  some  friends  in  England ;  and  while  in  that  city  he 
met  with  the  Count  de  St.  Germain,  who  was  at  that  time 
the  French  minister  of  war. 

Being  aware  of  the  talents  of  the  baron,  the  count  pre- 
vailed upon  him  to  enter  the  service  of  Congress.  On  his 
arrival  in  America,  he  heard  the  news  of  the  capture  of 
Burgoyne,  and  felt  assured  that  the  cause  in  which  he  had 
embarked,  was  not  a  hopeless  one. 

His  services  were  thankfully  accepted  by  Congress,  and 
the  commissions  he  desired  for  his  attendants  granted. 
He  immediately  joined  the  army,  then  in  winter-quarters 
at  Valley  Forge.  Long  practice  in  the  service  of  Prussia, 
had  perfectly  qualified  him  for  a  military  teacher,  and  in 
May,  1778,  Congress  complied  with  the  recommendation 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  and  appointed  him  inspector- 
general  of  the  army,  with  the  rank  of  major-general. 

He  commenced  his  duties  immediately,  and  in  a  short 
time  surmounted  difficulties,  which  would  have  discouraged 
a  less  determined  spirit.  He  composed  a  complete  system 
of  order  and  exercise,  which  was  approved  of  by  Wash- 
ington, and  was  ordered  by  Congress  to  be  printed  and 


BARON  STEUBEN. 


381 


FFvEDERICK  THE  GREAT. 


adopted  by  tlie  army.  For  many  years  afrer  the  close 
of  the  war,  this  system  was  used  by  the  states  for  the 
training  of  the  militia. 

The  following  extract  from  Dr.  Thacher's  Military 
Journal,  will  serve  to  show  his  success  in  instructing  the 
raw  troops  which  had  hitherto  composed  the  American 
array.  He  says,  After  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  the  Baron 
returned  to  the  northward,  and  remained  with  the  army, 
continually  employed  until  the  peace,  in  perfecting  its 
discipline.  The  adroitness,  and  above  all  the  silence  with 
which  the  manoeuvres  were  performed,  was  remarked  with 
astonishment,  by  the  oiScers  of  the  French  army. 


832  BARON  STEUBEN. 

The  Marquis  de  la  Val  de  Montmorenci,  brigadiei 
general,  said  to  the  Baron,  '  I  admire  the  celerity  and 
exactitude  with  which  your  men  perform,  but  what  I 
cannot  conceive,  is  the  silence  with  which  they  make  their 
manoeuvres.'  'I  don't  know,  Monsieur  Le  Marquis,'  he 
replied,  *  whence  noise  should  proceed,  when  even  my 
brigadiers  dare  not  open  their  mouths,  but  to  repeat  the 
orders.' 

"  The  French  troops  were  exceedingly  loud  in  their  evo- 
lutions and  mVches,  and  Monsieur  la  Val,  at  all  times 
louder  than  the  rest.  On  a  subsequent  occasion,  designed 
to  show  the  degree  of  expertness  at  which  our  officers  and 
soldiers  had  arrived,  the  Baron  was  asked  by  one  of  the 
French  generals,  what  manoeuvres  he  intended  to  perform ; 
on  being  informed ;  '  Yes,'  replied  the  French  chief,  *  I 
have  seen,  particularly  the  last  you  mention,  performed 
by  the  Prussians  in  Silesia,  but  with  a  very  complex  ad- 
dition,' which  he  explained.  '  But  you  will  recollect,  ge- 
neral, that  we  are  not  quite  Prussians.' 

"After  his  guests  had  retired,  the  Baron  said,  'I  will  let 
these  Frenchmen  know  that  we  can  do  what  the  Prussians 
can,  and  what  their  army  cannot  do.  I  will  save  those 
gentlemen  who  have  not  been  in  Silesia,  the  trouble  of 
going  there ;  they  may  come  to  Yerplanck's  Point  next 
week  for  instruction.'  They  came,  chiefs  and  subalterns ; 
and  every  thing  was  done  in  the  finest  style,  to  their  real 


BAROx  STE^BE^^  833 

(T  pretended  admiration."  Such  was  Baron  Steuben. 
He  had  hiid  aside  the  emoluments  of  an  ample  fortune, 
rejected  the  overtures  of  powerful  princes,  anxious  to  se- 
cure the  services  of  so  accomplished  a  master  of  war,  all 
that  could  render  life  dear,  to  enter  the  servi:e  of  a  few 
feeble  colonies,  struggling  against  the  oppressions  imposed 
by  the  mother  country.  He  died  on  the  2Sth  of  Novem- 
ber, 1794,  aged  sixty-five.  He  directed  that  he  should 
be  wrapped  in  his  military  cloak,  ornamented  with  the 
star  he  had  alwavs  worn,  and  interred  in  a  nei^rhborino- 
forest.    He  was  obeyed  ;  and, 

"He  lar  like  a  -vrarrior  taking  Ms  rest, 
With.  Ms  martial  cloak  around  Mm." 


MRS.  BOZARTH. 

The  cruelties  practised  by  the  Indians  during  the  war 
of  the  revolution,  were  of  a  character  to  chill  the  blood 
with  horror.  Urged  on  by  British  gold,  their  savage  na- 
tures were  excited  to  the  utmost,  and  every  species  of 
barbarity  winked  at  by  their  employers.  Women  and 
children,  old  and  helpless  men,  and  tender  infants,  were 
alike  their  victims. 

Many  instances  might  be  given  of  personal  daring,  and 
undaunted  bravery  on  the  part  of  the  women  of  that 
period,  but  one  will  suffice.  It  happened  in  the  year  1779. 
(334) 


MRS.  BOZARTH. 


335 


The  alarm  which  had  caused  the  people  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Pricket's  fort  to  move  into  it  for  safety,  induced 
two  or  three  families  on  Dunkard  creek  to  collect  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  Bozarth,  thinking  they  would  be  more  exempt 
from  danger  when  together  than  if  remaining  at  their 
several  homes.  About  the  first  of  April,  when  only  Mrs. 
Bozarth  and  two  men  were  in  the  house,  the  children  who 
had  been  out  at  play,  came  running  into  the  yard,  ex- 
claiming that  there  were  "ugly  red  men  coming."  Upon 
hearing  this,  one  of  the  two  men  in  the  house,  going  to 
the  door  to  see  if  Indians  really  were  approaching,  received 
a  glancing  shot  on  his  breast,  which  caused  him  to  fall 
back.  The  Indian  who  had  shot  him,  sprang  in  immedi- 
ately after,  and  grappling  with  the  other  white  man,  was 
quickly  thrown  on  the  bed.  His  antagonist  having  no  » 
weapon  with  which  to  do  him  any  injury,  called  to  Mrs. 
Bozarth  for  a  knife.  Not  finding  one  at  hand,  she  seized 
an  axe,  and  at  one  blow  let  out  the  brains  of  the  prostrate 
savage.  At  that  instant  a  second  Indian  entered  the  door 
and  shot  dead  the  man  engaged  with  his  companion  on  the 
bed.  Mrs.  Bozarth  turned  on  him,  and  with  a  well-directed 
blow  let  out  his  entrails,  and  caused  him  to  bawl  out  for 
help.  Upon  this,  others  of  his  party,  who  had  been  en- 
gaged with  the  children  in  the  yard,  came  to  his  relief. 
The  first  who  thrust  his  head  in  at  the  door,  had  it  cleft  by 
the  axe  of  Mrs.  Bozarth,  and  fell  lifeless  on  the  ground. 


386 


MRS.  BOZARTH. 


Another,  catclimg  hold  of  his  wounded,  bawling  companion, 
drew  him  oat  of  the  house,  when  Mrs.  Bozarth,  with  the 
aid  of  the  white  man  who  had  been  first  shot,  and  was 
then  somewhat  recovered,  succeeded  in  closing  and  making 
fast  the  door.  The  children  in  the  yard  were  all  killed, 
but  the  heroism  and  exertions  of  Mrs.  Bozarth  and  the 
wounded  white  man,  enabled  them  to  resist  the  repeated 
attempts  of  the  Indians  to  force  open  the  door,  and  retain 
possession  of  the  house  until  they  were  relieved  by  a  party 
from  the  neighboring  settlement.  The  time  occupied  in 
this  bloody  affair,  from  the  first  alarm  by  the  children,  to 
the  shutting  of  the  door,  did  not  exceed  three  minutes. 
And  in  this  brief  space,  Mrs.  Bozarth,  with  wonderful 
self-possession,  coolness  and  intrepidity,  succeeded  in 
killing  three  Indians. 


•  LIST  OP  VALUABLE  AKD  POPULAR  BOOKS. 

Dffisi  liWnilWiMi^l 
TRAVELS  ^  EESEAECHES 

OP 
IN  THE 

WUhs  of  Soutf)  Africa 


This  is  a  work  of  thrilling  adventures  and  hair-breadth 
escapes  among  savage  beasts  and  more  savage  men.  Dr. 
Livingstone  was  alone,  and  unaided  by  any  white  man, 
traveling  with  African  attendants,  among  different  tribes 
and  nations,  all  strange  to  him,  and  many  of  them  hostile, 
and  altogether  forming  the  most  astonishing  book  o* 
travels  the  world  has  ever  seen.  All  acknowledge  it  is 
the  most  readable  book  published.    Price  $1.25. 


NOTICES    OP    THE  PRESS. 

It  afeonnds  <r.  descriptions  of  strange  and  -wonderful  scenes,  among  a  people  and  in  a 
eonntry  enfireiy  new  to  the  civilized  world  ;  and  altogether  we  regard  it  as  one  of  tha 
most  interesting  books  issued  within  the  past  year. — Daily  Deraocrat,  Pattsrson,  Neu 
Jersey. 

The  sub'ects  treated  of  are  new  and  strange,  and  take  a  deep  hold  upon  popular  feel- 
ing. The  book  is  having  a  great  run,  and  will  be  read  by  every  reading  man,  woman, 
and  chiJA,  in  this  as  well  as  other  \a,nds.—Asfitabula  (Ohio)  Telegraph. 

T,hosc  of  our  readers  who  would  have  a  delightful  book  for  reading  at  any  tour,  wlH 
■©t  be  disappointed  in  this  work. — United  States  Journal. 

This  interesting  work  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  one.  Its  interesting  pagfti  9t 
iidventures  are  full  of  instruction  and  amusement. — Avhurn  American. 

With  tmth  we  can  say,  that  seldom  is  presented  to  the  reading  public  a  work  eoa« 
Isdaing  such  a  vast  amount  of  solid  instruction  as  the  one  in  question. — Family  Magm' 
fine. 

It  ie  a  rich  and  valuable  book  for  the  general  reader  ;  and  the  admirable  style  In.whlcli 
tke  publisher  has  issued  it,  will  commend  it  to  the  favor  of  thousands. — OhristicM 
Server. 

This  is  a  valuable  work  for  the  general  reader,  gotten  up  in  beautiful  style.  A  spfKrial 
Interest  i.-  given  to  this  volume  by  the  addition  of  valuable  "Historical  Notices  of  Dis- 
coveries in  Africa."  Altogether,  it  would  be  difficult  to  name  any  work  which  would 
more  completely  meet  the  popular  taste  of  our  day.  Those  of  our  friends  who  hay* 
perused  "our"  copy,  speak  very  highly  of  it. — Fort. Edward  Inst.  Monthly. 

The  present  volume  is  a  beautiful  12mo.,  of  446  pages,  numerously  illustrated,  and 
eontains  aU  of  the  original,  except  some  of  the  more  dry,  scientific  details.  It  is  ei»« 
fkitically  aa  edition  for  the  people ;  and,  judging  from  the  rapid  sale  with  vrhlA  U  ^ 
Mbseiiiff,  it  ia  folly  approni^ted      Uiem.— CAmiirTo  JV«ema<S  BostOfU 


*  LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS. 


T.  S.  ARTHUR'S  WORKS. 

I  The  following  List  of  Books  are  all  written  by  T.  S.  Arthur,  the 
well-known  author,  of  whom  it  has  been  said,  "Mat  dying  he  hm 
not  written  a  wori  he  would  wish  to  erase.^^  They  are  all  gotten  up 
in  the  best  style  of  binding,  and  are  worthy  of  a  place  in  ©verj 
household.]   


TEN  NIGHTS  IN  A  BAR-ROOM, 

wsniiffl  n  ©AW  s'miiiBiic; 

This  powerfully- written  work,  one  of  the  best  by  its  popular  AuiTior^ 
has  met  with  an  immense  sale — ten  thousand  copies  having  been 
ordered  within  a  month  of  publication.  It  is  a  large  12mo.,  illus- 
trated with  a  beautiful  Mezzotint  Engraving,  by  Sartain ;  printed 

<i  i;  ie  white  paper,  and  bound  in  the  best  English  musKn,  gilt 
Daek.    Price  $1.00.  . 


The  following  are  a  few  of  the  many  Notices  of  the  Press. 

Powerful  sind  seasouable. — K  Y.  Independent. 

Its  scenes  are  painfully  graphic,  and  fui-nish  thrilling  arguments  for  the  temperanc« 
eause. — Norton'' s  Literary  Gazette. 

"Written  in  the  author's  most  forcible  and  vigorous  style. — Lehigh  Valley  Times. 

In  the  "Ten  Nights  in  a  Bar-Room,"  some  of  the  consequences  of  tavern-keeping,  the 
"sowing  of  the  wind"  and  "reaping  the  whirlwind,"  are  followed  by  a  "fearful  con- 
ttmrnatioQ,"  and  the  "closing  bcene,"  presenting  pictures  of  fearful,  thrilling  interest. 
^Am.  Courier. 

There  is  no  exaggeration  in  these  pages — they  seem  to  have  been  filled  up  from  actual 
observation. — Philadelphia  Sun. 

We  have  read  it  with  the  most  intense  interest,  and  commend  it  as  a  work  caleulated 
lo  do  an  immense  amount  of  good. — Lancaster  Express. 

We  wish  that  all  lovers  of  bar-rooms  and  rum  would  read  the  book.  It  will  pay  them 
richly  to  do  so. — N.  Y.  Northern  Blade. 

It  is  saflScient  commendation  of  this  little  volume  to  say  that  it  is  from  the  graphic 
pen  of  T.  S.  Arthur,  whose  works  will  be  read  and  reread  long  after  he  has  passed 
away.  He  is  as  true  to  natui-e,  as  far  as  he  attempts  to  explore  it,  as  Shakspeare 
himself;  and  his  works,  consequently,  have  an  immense  popularity. — New  Haven 
Palladium. 

There  are  many  scenes  unequaled  for  pathos  and  beauty.  The  death  of  little  Marj 
•aa  scarcely  be  surpassed. — N.  Y.  Home  Journal. 


WHAT  CAN  WOMAN  DO? 

12me>,  with  Mezzotint  Engraving,  Price  $1.00 

Our  purpose  is  to  show,  in  a  series  of  life  pictures,  what  woman  can  do,  as  well  fci 
rood  as  for  evil.  We  desire  to  bring  her  before  you  as  a  living  entity,  that  you  may  se4 
Eer  a«  she  is,  and  comprehend  in  some  small  degree  the  influence  she  vields  in  the 
irorld's  progi-ess  upward,  as  well  as  her  power  to  mar  the  human  soul  and  drag  it  dow» 
1r>  perdition,  w^en  hei  own  spirit  is  darkened  by        ^aocioH-   -  »^r^'>-/a/rf  /r<>«* 


LIST  OF  VALTTABLE  AIH)  POPTJLAE  BOOKS. 


T.  S.  ARTHUR'S   W  0  RKS— Continued. 


OB, 

RELIGION   IN   COMMON  LIFE. 

PriM,  $1.00 

NOTICES    OF    THE  PRESS. 

II  panders  to  tte  doctrines  and  tenets  of  no  particular  sect,  and  will  be  found  an  exeal- 
ient  bock  to  place  in  the  hands  of  young  people. — Savannah  Georgian. 

It  is  a  work  well  calculated  to  do  good,  and  to  put  into  the  hands  of  fiie  youth  ef  th« 
eouutry. — Enq^drer. 

This  work  will  interest  the  reader,  and  at  the  same  time  teach  lessons  of  practical 
value. — Ch.  Messenger,  Vt. 

It  is  designed  to  show  that  the  beauties  and  endearments  of  Christianity  are  to  be 
dereloped  amid  the  stern  realities  of  every-day  life. — Vermont  Messenger. 

It  is  a  timely  and  good  book,  and  should  be  widely  read,  especially  by  young  Chris- 
tians—  Central  Ch.  Herald,  Cincinnati. 

Mr.  Arthur  is  already  well  known  as  an  earnest  man,  whose  object  has  been  to  do 
his  part  in  spreading  the  doctrines  and  teachings  of  the  Christian  religion  ;  and  in  tke 
present  volume  he  urges  the  necessity  of  charity,  and  endeavors  to  impress  upon  the 
reader  the  fact  that  religion  is  for  daily  life,  "  and  cannot  be  put  aside  at  the  tranquil 
close  of  Sabbath  evenings." — Courier  and  Enquirer. 

More  decidedly  religious  in  its  character  than  Arthur's  other  works,  though  it  ii 
neither  doctrinal  nor  sectarian. — Ch.  Times,  Chicago. 

The  pen  of  T.  S.  Arthur  nev^  tires.  In  this  new  volume,  we  preceiya  that  he  is 
Btill  laboring  s  uccessfully  in  .•  educing  brief  stories,  the  aim  of  which  is  moral.  3e 
says  truly,  when  he  declares  ;  at  "no  special  theology  is  taught  in  this  volume,"  by 
which  he'  means,  we  suppose,  that  controverted  dogmas  are  not  introduced.  His  main 
point  is,  "  Eeligion,  to  be  of  any  real  use  to  a  man,  must  come  down  into  all  his.  daily 
duties,  and  regulate  his  actions  by  a  divine  standard." — Exeter  News  Letter. 

'jSo  special  theology  is  taught  in  this  volume.  It  addresses  itself  to  no  particular  sect 
or  denomination.  It  has  no  aim  but  to  assist  men  to  grow  better,  and  thence,  happier.— 
Solera  Gazette. 

Arthur  has  produced  few  more  satisfactory  books  than  this.— Atlas  and  Bee. 


THE  HAND  WITHOUT  THE  HEART; 

OE, 

THE  LIFE  TEIALS  OE  JESSIE  LOEING. 
Price,  $1.00 

The  point  of  this  story  is  expressed  in  the  title  ;  and  the  story  jtself  is  a  sharply  dra^ra 
Illustration  of  the  folly  and  madness  of  linking  together  two  immortal  souls  by  the 
tough  chains  of  selfish  interest,  pride,  or  baser  passion.  The  lesson  taught  is  one  oi 
deep  sigiiificance ;  and  thousands  of  hearts  will  throb  in  almost  wild  response,  to  the 
Uie  experiences  of  Jessie  Loring,  who  in  all  the  bitter  trials  of  her  unhappy  unioti, 
nrerved  not  a  hair's  breadth  from  honor,  principle,  or  religious  duty,  though  temptation 
•una  in  its  most  alluring  shape.  A?  the  type  of  a  true  woman,  she  is  Vorthy  to  b« 
•BBbalmftd  in  the  memory  of  every  reader. — Sovihem  Argils. 


TIB  imm  im  at  home 

i  «ol9.  to  on^  •     ^     ^     .     .     o     o     .     PriM,  $1 09 


to 


LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS. 


T.  S.  ARTHUR'S  W  0  UK  8~  Continued. 


ARTHUR'S  SKETCHES 

OF 

llfM  liD  eilBiCTift 

An  octavo  volume  of  over  40C  pages^  beautifully  Illustrated,  an 
bdund  in  the  best  English  muslin,  gilt.    Price  $2.00. 


KOTICES   OF   THE  PRESS. 

llie  present  volume,  containiDg  more  than  four  hundred  finely-printed  octavo  pages, 
Is  illustrated  by  splendid  engravings,  and  made  particularly  valuable  to  those  who  like 
to  "see  the  face  of  him  they  talk  withal,"  by  a  correct  likeness  of  the  author,  finely  en- 
graved on  steel. — NeaVs  Gazette. 

In  the  princely  mansions  of  the  Atlantic  merchants,  and  in  the  rude  log  cabins  of  th« 
backwoodsmen,  the  name  of  Arthur  is  equally  known  and  cherished  as  the  friend  of 
rittue. — Graham's  3Iagazine. 

We  would  not  exchange  our  copy  of  these  sketches,  with  its  story  of  "  The  Methodist 
Preacher,"  for  any  one  of  the  gilt-edged  and  embossed  Annuals  which  we  have  yet  seen. 
—Lady's  National  Magazine. 

The  first  story  in  the  volume,  entitled  "  The  Methodist  Preacher,  or  bights  and 
Shadows  in  the  Life  of  an  Itinerant,"  is  alone  worth  the  price  of  the  work. — Evening 
Bulletin. 

It  is  emphatically  a  splendid  work. — Middletown  Whig. 

Its  worth  and  cheapness  should  place  it  in  every  person's  bands  who  desires  to  read 
an  interesting  book. — Odd  Fellow^  Boonsboro\ 

"  The  Methodist  Preacher,"  "  Seed-Time  and  Harvest,"  "  Dyed  in  the  Wool,"  are  full 
>f  truth  as  well  as  instruction,  and  any  one  of  them  is  worth  the  whole  price  of  the 
volume. — Lowell  Day-star,  Rev.  D.  0.  Eddy,  Editor. 

There  is  a  fascination  about  these  sketches  which  so  powerfully  interests  the  reader, 
that  few  who  commence  one  of  them  will  part  with  it  till  it  is  concluded ;  and  they  will 
bear  reading  repeatedly.— iV^or/o^&  and  Po7-tsmouth  Herald. 

Those  who  have  not  perused  these  model  stories  have  a  rich  feast  in  waiting,  and  we 
ehall  be  happy  if  we  can  be  instrumental  in  pointing  them  to  it. — Family  Visitor^ 
Madison,  Ga. 

No  library  for  family  reading  should  be  considered  complete  without  this  volume, 
Which  is  as  lively  and  entertaining  in  its  character,  as  it  is  salutary  in  its  influence.— 
N.  Y  Tribune. 

The  work  is  beautifully  illustrated.  Those  wno  are  at  all  acquainted  with  Arthur'i 
writings  need  hardly  be  told  that  the  present  work  is  a  prize  to  whoever  possesses  it.— 
F.  r.  Sun. 

We  know  no  better  book  for  the  table  of  any  family,  whether  regarded  for  its  nef 
•xterior  or  valuable  contents. —  Vox  Populi,  Lowell. 

The  name  of  the  author  is  in  itself  a  sufficient  recommendation  of  the  work.— JiailK 
rmoe  Sentinel. 

T.  S.  Arthur  is  one  of  the  best  literary  writers  of  the  age. — Watchman,  CirclevilU 

The  name  alone  of  the  author  is  a  sufficient  guarantee  to  the  reading  public  of  its  sni 
pwsing  merit. — The  Argus  Gallatin,  Miss. 

Probably  he  has  not  written  a  line  which,  dying,  he  could  wish  to  erase.— Pari<rr 
Utrg  (Fa.)  Gazette. 


THE   WITHERED  HEART. 

1^0.,  with  fine  Mezzotint  Frontispiece.    Cloth  Price  $1.0C 

This  work  has  gone  through  several  editions  in  England  although 
published  but  a  few  weeks,  and  has  had  the  most  flattering  notioei 
Lvm  the  English  Press 


LISi'  OF  VALTJASLE  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS. 


T.   S.   ARTHUR'S   ^y  0  RKS—Caniinued. 


f  igljts  anb  Sljabolus  of  geal  l^ife. 

Witt  an  Autobiograpiiy  and  Portrait  of  the  Antlior.     Over  fira 
imndred  pages,  octavo,  -tvitii  fine  tinted  Engravings.    Price  $2.00. 

NOTICES    OF    THE  PRESS. 

Ie  this  volnme  may  be  found  a  "moral  suasion,''  wMch  cannot  but  affect  for  goo4 
lU  -who  read.  The  mecbanical  execution  of  the  work  iS  very  beautiful  througkout.— 
Ifew  En  cea  Palladium. 

It  is  by  far  the  most  valuable  book  ever  published  of  bis  works,  inasmuch  as  it  ie  eB» 
rlcbed  with  a  very  interesting,  though  brief  autobiography. — Amei-iean  Courier. 

^'■o  family  library  is  complete  withimt  a  Copy  of  this  bo^. — ScoWs  Weekly  Paper. 

No  better  or  worthier  present  could  be  made  1,.'  the  young ;  no  offering  more  purg 
charitable,  and  practicable  could  be  tendered  to  those  who  are  interested  in  the  trtily 
Benevolent  reforms  of  the  day. — Godey's  Lady's  Book. 

The  paper,  the  engravings,  the  binding,  and  the  literary  contents,  are  all  calculated 
to  make  it  a  favorite. — Penn.  Inquirer. 

This  volume  cannot  be  too  highly  recommended. — N.  Y.  Tribune,. 

More  good  has  been  effected,  than  by  any  other  single  medium  that  we  know  of.— 
S.  Y.  Sun. 

The  work  should  be  upon  the  centre-table  of  every  parent  in  the  land. — Satuma, 
Temperance  Magazine. 

LEAVES  FEOM  THE  BOOK  OP  HUMAN  LITE. 

Large  12mo.   Witli  Tliirtj  Illustrations  and  Steel  Plate.   Price  $1.00 

A.  single  story  is  worth  the  price  charged  for  the  book. —  Union,  2^eu>buryport,  Ma^S- 
"It  includes  some  of  the  best  humorous  sketches  of  the  author." 


The  following  Books  are  bound  in  uniform  style  as  "ARTHUR'3 
COTTAGE  LIBRARY,"  and  are  sold  in  sets,  or  separately,  each 
volume  being  complete  in  itself.  Each  volume  is  embellished 
with  a  fine  Mezzotint  Engraving.] 

THIS    "W^'Y    TO  I^E^OSI^EI^. 

AXD    OTHER  TALES. 
Cloth,  12mo.,  with  Mezzotint  Engraving,  Price  $1.0^ 


TRUE  RICHES;  OR,  WEALTH  WiTKOUT  WiNSS. 

AND    OTHER  TALES, 
loth,  12m©.  with  Me/zotint  Engraving,  .Price  $1.0'4 


ANGEL  OF  THE  HOUSEHOLD 


AXD    OTHER  TAIE?. 
Cloth,  12mo.,  with  Mezzotint  Engraving,        ....  ,i*^i^|V(T0 


LIST  OF   VALUABLE  AND  POPTJLAE  BOOKS. 


T.   S.   ARTHUR'S   ^  OB^IL^—Continma. 


GOLDEN  GRAINS  FROM  LIFE'S  HARVEST-FIELD. 

JSouud  in  gilt  back  and  sides,  sheep,  with  a  beautiful  Mezzotint  En 
graying.    12nio.    Price  $1.00. 

NOTICES    OF    THE  PRESS. 

It  Is  not  too  much  to  say,  that  the  Golden  Grains  here  presented  to  the  reader,  art 
TicL  as  will  be  productive  of  afar  greater  amount  of  human  happiness  than  those  i» 
search  of  which  m  many  are  willing  to  risk  domestic  peace,  health,  and  even  life  itsel 
In  a  distant  and  inhospitable  region 

These  narratives,  like  all  of  those  which  proceed  from  the  same  able  pen,  are  i-e- 
aaarkable  not  only  for  their  entertaining  and  lively  pictures  of  actual  life,  but  for  their 
admirable  moral  tendency. 

It  is  printed  in  excellent  style,  and  embellished  with  a  mezzotint  engraving.  We 
cordially  recommend  it  to  the  favor  of  our  readers.— ffociey'*  Lady's  Magazine. 


"%x\\m\  Ifomt  filrrarg." 

( The  following  four  volumes  contain  nearly  500  pages,  Illustrated 
with  fine  Mezzotint  Engravings.  Bound  in  the  best  manner,  and 
sold  sepd-rately  or  in  sets.  They  have  been  introduced  into  the 
District,  Sabbath-school,  and  other  Libraries,  and  are  considered 
one  of  the  best  series  of  the  author.] 

THREE   ERAS   IN  A   WOMAN'S  LIFE. 

Containing  MAIDEN,  WIFE,  and  J»IOTHER. 

Cloth,  12mo.,  with  Mezzotint  Engraving,  Price  $1.00 

"This,  by  many,  is  considered  Mr.  Arthur's  best  work." 

TALES   OF   MARRIED  LIFE. 

Containing  LOVERS  and  HUSBANDS,  SWEETHEARTS  and 
WIVES,  and  MARRIED  and  SINGLE. 

Cloth,  12mo.,  with  Mezzotint  Engraving,  Price  $1.00. 

*'In  this  volume  may  be  found  some  valuable  hints  for  wives  and  husbands,  as  wel 
M  the  young." 

TALES   OF   DOMESTIC  LIFE. 

Containing    MADELINE,    THE    HEIRESS,    THE  MARTYR 
WIFE,  and  RUINED  GAMESTER, 

Clath,  12mo.,  with  Mezzotint  Engraving,  Price  $1.00 

Gteatains  several  sketches  of  thrilling  interest." 

TALES   OF   REAL  LIFE. 

Conlaining  BELL  MARTIN,  PRIDE  and  PRINCIPLE,  MARY 
ELLIS,  FAMILY  PRIDE,  and  ALICE  MELVILLE. 

Cletb,  12mo.5  with  Mezzotint  Engraving,...  Pricb  $1.0<y. 

*"  aTbIs  voluma  gives  the  experiences  of  real  life  by  many  who  lound  not  their  idaal. 


LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS. 


13 


T    S.  ARTHUR'S   W  0  RKS— Continued, 


A  BOOK  OF  STARTLBNC  INTEREST. 


Til  imm  m  tii  demon. 

A  handsome  12mo.  volume.    Price  $1.00 


In  this  exciting  story  Mr.  Arthur  has  taken  hold  of  the  reader*! 
fctteution  with  a  more  than  usually  vigorous  grasp,  and  keeps  him 
absorbed  to  the  end  of  the  volume.  The  book  is  one  of  START 
LING  INTEREST.    Its  lessons  should  be 

m  THE  HEART  OF  EVERY  MOTHER. 

Onward,  with  a  power  of  demonstration  that  makes  conviction  a 
necessity,  the  Author  sweeps  through  his  subject,  fascinating  at 
every  step.    In  the  union  of 

THRILLma  DRAMATIC  INCIDENT, 

with  moral  lessons  of  the  highest  importance,  this  volume  stands 
forth  pre-eminent  among  the  author's  many  fine  productions. 

IfOTICES    OF    THE  PRESS. 

A  storv  of  much  power,  imbued  with  that  excellent  moral  and  religious  spirit  which 
|>ervade&' all  his  writings.— xV.  Y.  Clironicle. 

This  volume  is  amoug  his  best  productions,  and  worthy  of  a  place  on  every  centra- 
table. — Clarion,  Pa.,  Banner. 

This  is  a  most  fasciuaiing  book,  one  which  the  reader  will  find  it  quite  hard  to  lay 
Mide  without  reading  to  the  last  page. — Albany,  N.  Y.,  Journal  and  Courier. 


THE  GOOD  TIME  COMING. 

U*rg€  12mo.,  with  fin(^  Mezzotint  Frontispiece,  Price  $1.00 

It  is  like  every  thing  emanating  from  that  source— worth  reading,— ToZecio  Blade. 
It  is  characterized      \11  the  Mtcellencies  of  his  style." — Phila  Bulletin, 
ti  is  a  hook  the  most  *rupulou8  pa'-ent  laay  jlase  ia  -Sie  hand  of  his  child. — Pn  ' 
Uftiki  Transcript. 


14 


LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS. 


T.  S.  ARTHUR'S  W 0  R K S—Oowimwed. 


The  Old  Man's  Bride,  Price  $1.0 

Huart  Histories  and  Life  Pictures,   -      "  1.00 

Sparing  to  Spend;  or,  The  Loftons  and 
Pinkertons,  1.0 

Home  Scenes,  1.0 


OF 


Two  vols,  in  one.    By  Gen.  S.  P.  Lyman.   Price  %lS)k 


EXTRACT  FROM  PREFACE. 

The  Personal  Memorials,  which  compose  so  large  a  portion  of 
these  volumes,  are  from  the  pen  of  Gen.  S.  P.  Lyman,  whose  inti- 
mate and  confidential  relations  with  Mr.  Webster  afford  a  sufficient 
guarantee  for  their  authenticity.  They  are  believed  by  the  publisher 
to  embrace  a  more  copious  collection  of  original  and  interesting 
memoranda,  concerning  the  life  and  character  of  the  great  States- 
man  whose  recent  death  has  created  so  deep  a  sense  of  bereavement 
throughout  the  country,  than  has  hitherto  been  given  to  the  world. 


COOO  Wm  ROOND  TH[  WORLD. 

Two  volumes  in  one,     -       ,    -    -    -    .    Price  $1.00 


LIST  0?  VALUABLE  AKD  POPULAB  BOOKS. 


15 


THE  MASTER-SPIRIT  OF  THE  AGE. 


THE  PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE  HISTORY 

OP 

NAPOLEON  THE  THIRD, 

WITH 

Biographical  Notices  of  his  most  Distinguished 
Ministers,  Generals  and  Favorites. 

BY  SAMUEL  M.  SMUCKER,  AM. 

iuthor  of  "Court  and  Reign  of  Catharine  II.,"  "Mcholas  I.,  Emperor  of  Enssia,*' 
"Life  of  Alexander  Hamilton,"  etc.,  etc. 


This  interesting  and  valnable  work  is  embellislied  •vri+h  splendid 
Steel  Plates,  done  by  Mr.  Sartain  in  his  best  style,  including 

THE  EMPEROR,  THE  EMPRESS,  QUEEN  HORTEKSE, 
AND  THE  COUNTESS  CASTIGLIONS. 

The  -u-ork  contains  over  400  pages  of  closelj-printed  matter,  and 
has  been  prepared  with  much  care  from  auth^;ntic  sources,  and  fur- 
nishes a  large  amount  of  information  in  reference  to  the  Emperoi; 
of  the  French, 

HIS  COURT,  AND  FRANCE  UNDER  THE  SECOND  EMPIRE, 

which  is  entirely  new  to  American  readers.  This  work  is  the  only  one, 
either  in  English  or  French,  which  boldly  and  accurately  describes 

THE   REAI.  CHARACTER,   THE  PRIVATE   MORALS,  THIS 
PUBLIC   POLICY,  OF   XAPOLEOX   THE  THIRD. 

Copies  sent  by  mail  on  receipt  of  the  price,  $1.25. 


NOTICES   OF   THE  PBESS. 

This  is  a  very  valuable  contribution  to  the  literature  of  the  present  time.  An  extra- 
ordinary amount  of  information  is  given  in  the  present  volume.  Like  all  the  othe: 
vorks  o"f  the  graceful  and  fluent  author,  it  must  command  a  very  large  popularity.— 
Philaddphia  Mercury. 

It  U  the  most  complete  biography  of  the  French  Emperor  yet  published,  and  bringa 
«ven;s  io-wn  to  the  present  time. — Baltimore  RepiLbUcan. 

This  bcok  is  well  -wriuen,  printed  on  good  paper,  is  neatly  bound,  good  size,  and  soM 
eieap.— Fai^ey  Spirit,  Chambersb".rg. 

This  work  does  full  and  ample  justice  to  the  subject.  It  is  a  production  of  superior 
ability.  Mr.  Smacker  is  an  accnmplished  writer.  He  is  learued  and  accurate  in  hi# 
reseai-ches,  and  his  style  is  poiished-and  scholariike,  so  that  h«  pioduces  works  of  SM^* 
liiig  Talue  and  permaaeni  im*a'^. —Fhiladelj^ia  IX&patch. 


LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS. 


17 


AMONG 


BY  JOHN  FROST,  LL.D. 

COMPRISING  THE  MOST  REMARKABLE 

Personal  Narratives  of  Events  in  the 
Early  Indian  Wars, 

AS  WELL  AS  OF 

INCIDENTS  IN  THE  RECENT  INBIAN  HOSTILITIES  IN 
MEXICO  AND  TEXAS. 

Illustrated  witli  over  30C  Engravings,  from  designs  by  W.  Croome, 
and  other  distinguislied  artists.  It  contains  over  500  pagea 
12mo.    Bound  in  clotlij  gilt  back.    Price,  $1.25. 


OP 

THE  OLD  WORLD  AND  THE  NEW 

COMPRISING 

A  View  of  the  Present  State  of  the  Nations  of  the  Woria, 

their  Names,  Customs,  and  Peculiarities,  and  their  Political, 
Moral,  Social,  and  Industrial  Condition. 

nterapersed  with  Historical  Sketches  and  Anecdotes,  by  Willta^ 
PiiVNOCK,  author  of  the  Histories  of  England,  Greece,  and  Rome. 
Enlarged,  revised,  and  embellished  with  several  hundred  En- 
gravings, including  twenty-four  finely-colored  Plates,  from  designs 
of  Croome,  Devereux,  and  other  distinguished  artists.  It  c©u- 
tains  ove<'  600  pages,  bound  in  embossed  morocco,  gilt  haes* 


LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS. 


18 


THE 

Binu  riEiDS  or  the  revoiutiom. 

COMPRISING  DESCEiPTIONS  OF  THE 

Different  Battles,  Sieges,  and  other  Events  of 
the  War  of  Independence. 

INTERSPERSED  WITH  CHARACTERISTIC  ANECDOTES. 

fllustrated  with  numerous  Engravings,  and  a  fine  Mezzotint  Frontis- 
piece.   By  Thomas  Y.  Rhoads.    Large  12mo.    Price  $1.00. 


o  o  T 

The  Sergeant  and  the  Indians. 
Burning  of  the  Gaspee. 
The  Great  Tea  hiot. 
The  First  Prayer  in  Congress. 
Battle  of  Lexington. 
Fight  ax  Concord  Bridge. 
Capture  of  Ticonderoga. 
Battle  of  Bunker's  HilL 
Attack  on  Quebec. 
Attack  on  Sullivan's  Island. 
The   Declaration   of  Indepen- 
dence. 

Firmness  of  Washington. 
Capture  of  General  Lee. 
Capture  of  General  Prescott. 
General  Prescott  Whipped. 
Battle  of  Trenton. 
Battle  of  Princeton. 
General  Lafayette. 
Battle  of  Brandywine. 
Battle  of  Germantown. 
Battle  of  Red  Bank. 


E   IST   T   S  . 

Burgoyne's  Invasion— Battle  of 

Bennington. 
Heroic  Exploit  of  Peter  Frau* 

Cisco. 
Andrew  Jackson. 
Siege  of  Yorktown — Surrendei 

of  Cornwallis. 
George  Rogers  Clarke. 
Death  of  Captain  Biddle. 
Patriotism  of  Mother  Bailey. 
The  Dutchman  and  the  Rake. 
Simon  Kenton. 
The  Murder  of  Miss  M'Crea. 
Massacre  at  Wyoming. 
Treason  of  Arnold. 
Patriotism  of  Elizabeth  Zane. 
Stony  Point. 
John  Paul  Jones. 
Battle  of  King's  Mountain. 
Burning  of  Colonel  Crawford. 
Battle  of  the  Cowpens. 
Baron  Steuben. 
Mrs.  Bozarth. 


PIONEER  LIFE  IN  THE  WEST 

4'emprising  the  Adventures  of  Boone,  Kenton,  Brady,  Clarke,  The 
Wketzbls,  and  others,  in  their  Fierce  Encounters  with  tlie  In 
dians.    Prise  $1.00. 


20 


LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAH  BOOKS 


[The  following  two  volumes  by  S.  M.  Smucker,  Esq.,  have  had  a 
large  sale,  and  are  considered  the  best  Biographies  of  these  great 
statesmen  published.  Each  is  illustrated  with  a  fine  and  correct 
Steel  Portrait.  The  Life  of  Hamilton  has  been  reviewed  by  his 
son,  now  residing  near  New  York,  who  speaks  of  it  in  the  highest 
terms.] 

THE  LIFE  AND  TIMES  OF  THOMAS  JEFFERSON. 

By  S.  M.  Smucker,  A.M.,  author  of  "Life  and  Reign  of  Nicholas  L 
Emperor  of  Russia,"  &c.,  &c.  Large  12mo.  of  400  pages.  Cloth 
With  fine  Steel  Portrait.    Price  $1.25. 


%\t  fife  aiib  Ckes  d  %ltm\\ki  f amiltoit. 

By  S.  M.  Smucker,  A.M.,  author  of  "Life  and  Reign  of  Nicholas  L, 
Emperor  of  Russia,"  &c.,  &c.  Large  12mo.,  with  Portrait.  Over 
400  pages.    Price  $1.25. 


THE  BLESSINGS  OF  AN  OPEN  BIBLE;  as  shown  in  the  His- 
tory of  Christianity,  from  the  Time  of  our  Saviour  to  the  Present 
Day.  By  Vincent  W.  Milner.  With  a  View  of  the  latest  Develop- 
ments  of  Rome's  Hostility  to  the  Bible,  as  exhibited  in  the  Sand- 
wich Islands,  in  Tuscany,  in  Ireland,  France,  &c.,  and  an  expose 
of  the  absurdities  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  and  the  Idola- 
trous Veneration  of  the  Virgin  Mary.  By  Rev.  .Joseph  F.  Berg, 
D.D.,  author  of  "The  Jesuits,"  "Church  and  State,"  &c.,  &c. 
12mo.,  430  pp.  Illustrated  with  numerous  Engravings.  Bound 
in  muslin,  gilt  back.  $1.00 


THE  WORLD  IN  A  POCKET  BOOK. 

By  William  11.  Crump.     New  Revised  Edition,  brought  iown  to 
1858.    Price  $1.25. 

This  work  is  a  Compendiiim  of  Useful  Knowledge  and  General 
Reference,  dedicated  to  the  Manufacturers,  Farmers,  Merchants, 
and  Mechanics  of  the  United  States — to  all,  in  short,  with  whom 
time  is  money — and  whose  business  avocations  render  the  acquisi- 
tion of  extensive  and  diversified  information  desirable,  by  the  short 
est  possible  road.  The  volume,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  found  worthy 
©f  a  place  in  every  household — in  every  family.  It  may  indeed  h« 
t«jriaed  a  library  in  Hself. 


LIST  OF  VALTJABLE  POPULAR  BOOKS, 


21 


[The  autlior  of  this  volume,  Mrs.  M.  G.  Claeke,  is  well  kno\rn  as 
the  editress  of  the  "Mother's  Magazine/'  one  of  the  oldest  and 
"best  Magazines   published.     This  volume    contains   her  bes 
Sketches  in  Prose  and  Poetry,  and  should  be  in  every  library  in 
the  land.] 

OE, 

SOCIAL  HALF  HOURS  WITH  THE  HOUSEHOLD, 

d€tavo,  400  pages,  Illustrated  with  fine  Steel  Plates.    Price  $2.00. 


[The  two  following  volumes,  "The  Pilgrim's  Progress,"  and  "Life 
of  Christ  and  his  Apostles,"  are  from  new  stereotype  plates,  and 
are  pronounced  by  all  the  best  Editions  published  of  the-^e  popu- 
lar standard  works.  The  type  is  of  good  size,  and  being  printed 
on  good  paper  can  easily  be  read  by  the  old  as  well  as  the  young. 
In  ••  The  Pilgrim's  Progress,"  the  marginal  notes  of  the  original 
English  edition  have  been  preserved,  which  gives  it  a  great  ad- 
vantage over  the  common  editions.  It  also  contains  "Grace 
Abounding  to  the  Chief  of  Sinners,"  which,  by  many,  is  con- 
sidered his  great  master-piece.  To  the  "Life  of  Christ  and  his 
Apostles"  is  added  a  History  of  the  Jews,  from  the  Earliest  Ages 
down  to  the  Present  Time,  bringing  the  history  down  later  than 
in  any  other  volume.] 

FLEETWOOD'S 

LIFE  OF  CHRIST  .l\D  HIS  APOSTLES. 

WITH  A 

HISTORY  OF  THE  JEVTS, 

From  the  Earliest  Period  to  the  Present  Time. 

Large  12mo.,  bound  in  cloth.    Illustrated.    Price  $1.00. 

mw'i  nmm  nmni. 

I N  c  L  u  D I  :t  G 

"GRACE  ABOUNDING  TO  THE  CHIEF  OF  SINNERS^' 

Large  12mo.,  over  500  pages.  Bound  in  cloth.  Beautifully  rUTM- 
trat^.    Piice  $1.00. 


22 


LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS. 


"LIVING  AMD  LOVING. 

A  COLLECTION  OF  SKETCHES. 

BY  MISS  V.  F.  TOWNSEND. 

L*rge  12mo.,  with  fine  Steel  Portrait  of  the  Author.    Bound  b 
elotk.    Price  $1.00. 


o  o  rr  T 

Muriel. 

To  Arthur,  Asleep. 

The  Memory  Bells. 

Mend  the  Breeches. 

The  Sunshine  after  the  Rain. 

My  Picture. 

Little  Mercy  is  Dead. 

The  Old  Letters. 

The  Fountain  very  Far  Down. 

The  Rain  in  the  Afternoon. 

The  Blossom  in  the  Wilderness. 

The  Mistake. 

October. 

Twice  Loving. 

The  Old  Mirror. 

The  Country  Graveyard. 


Now. 

The  Door  in  the  Heart. 

My  Stop-Mother. 

The  Broken  Threat. 

Glimpses  inside  the  Cars. 

The  Old  Stove. 

The  Old  Rug. 

The  "Making-Up." 

Next  to  Me. 

Only  a  Dollar. 

The  Temptation  and  the  Tri- 
umph. 

Extracts    from  a  Valedictory 

Poem. 
December. 


]NrOTICES    OF    THE  PRESS. 

We  might  say  many  things  in  favor  of  this  delightful  publication,  but  we  deem  it  un 
necessary.  Husbands  should  buy  it  for  their  wives,  lovers  should  buy  it  for  their  sweet- 
hearts, friends  should  buy  it  for  their  friends — a  prettier  and  more  entertaining  gift  could 
not  be  given — and  every  body  should  buy  it  for  themselves.  It  ought  to  be  circulated 
throughout  the  land.  It  carries  sunshine  wherever  it  goes.  One  such  book  is  wortb 
fiaore  than  all  the  "  yellow-covered  trash"  ever  published. — 6fodey's  Lady's  Book. 


SYBIL  MONBOE;  OB,  THE  FORGER'S  DAUGHTEB. 

By  Maetha  Russell.    Price  $1.00. 


THE  DESERTED  FAMILY; 

OE, 

THE  WANDERINGS   OF  AN  OUTCAST 

By  Paul  Ceeyton.    Price  $1.00. 


/ 


26 


LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAE  BOOKS. 


umm  m  mmi  m\u. 

Travels  and  Discoveries  in  North  and  Central  Africa,  being  a 
Journal  of  an  Expedition  undertaken  under  the  auspices 
of  H.  B.  Majesty's  Government,  in  the  Years  1849-1855. 

By  henry  BARTH,  Ph.D.,  D.C.L., 

Fellow  of  the  Eoyal  GeograpMcal  and  Asiatic  Societies,  etc.,  etc. 

Price,  $1.25. 

Earth's  Travels  in  Northern  and  Central  Africa  should  be 
read  by  every  one  who  has  Livingstone's  Travels — by  many  it  is 
considered  still  more  interesting. 

NOTICES   OF   THE  PRESS. 

The  researches  of  Dr.  Earth  are  of  the  highest  interest.  Few  men  have  existed  so 
qualified,  both  in  intellectual  ability  and  a  vigorous  bodily  constitution,  for  the  peril- 
ous part  of  an  African  discoverer  as  Dr.  Earth. — London  Times. 

Every  chapter  presents  matter  of  more  original  interest  than  an  ordinary  volame  of 
travek'.  This  is  high  praise,  but  it  is  due  to  the  intelligence  and  zeal  of  Dr  Barth, 
who  pursued  his  adventures  with  unflinching  courage,  and  neglected  no  opportunities. 
His  discoveries,  in  fact,  are  parallel  with  those  of  Dr.  Livingstone  in  the  South.  We 
confesR  that  such  a  relation  has  for  us  an  intense  interest ;  we  are  sure  that  no 
Eerious  reader  will  be  disappointed  in  the  narrative  of  Dr.  Barth,  which,  sprinkled 
with  anecdotes,  varied  by  glittering  descriptions  of  landscapes  and  manners,  written 
with  vigor  and  simplicity,  and  disclosing  amid  the  gloom  of  Africa  the  secrets  of 
centuries,  is  a  rich  repertory  of  Isnowledge,  and  deserves  to  take  its  place  among  the 
classics  of  travel. — London  Lecider. 

This  volu^ne  contains  an  account  of  the  journeyings,  discoveries,  and  adventures 
of  one  of  the  most  enterprising  travelers  of  the  age,  condensed  from  his  extended  narra- 
tive, recently  published  in  three  large  octavo  volumes.  The  work  is  intended  for  many 
who  feel  a  deep  interest  in  Dr.  Earth's  great  expedition,  who  would  know  whatever 
is  worth  knowing  in  respect  to  the  condition,  the  civilization,  and  prospects  of  men  in 
Africa,  but  who  have  neither  time  nor  money  to  procure  and  read  the  scientific,  minute 
and  bulky  volumes  from  which  the  present  has  been  abridged.  The  work  is  well 
printed  and  illustrated. — Christian  Observer,  Philadelphia. 

Here  we  have  the  entire  subject-matter  issued  in  a  single  volume,  with  maps  and 
Illustrations,  and  at  a  very  low  price  ;  while  from  the  deep  interest  of  its  pages,  we 
predict  that  it  will  command  what  booksellers  rejoice  to  call  a  ''run."  The  book  is 
also  enriched  with  notes  from  the  expeditions  of  Eichardson,  Denham  and  Clapperton. 
—Pennsylvania  Inquirer. 

It  is  got  up  in  Mr.  Bradley's  tisTial  style  of  elegance  and  beauty.  It  is  pleasant  to  lock 
at,  to  handle,  and  to  read. — Columbia  {Pa.)  Democrat. 

We  commend  the  volume  to  all  who  desire  a  perfect  combination  of  instructive  and 
interesting  reading.  Besides  the  contents,  the  typographical  appearance  of  the  work  is 
alike  creditable  and  attractive. — School  Journal,  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Bradley  deserves  the  thanks  and  patronage  of  the  public  for  offering  the  result  of 
recent  explorations  in  a  cheap  and  very  handsome  form.  Few  publishers  equal,  and 
none  excel  him  in  the  mechanical  execution  of  his  publications. — Record  of  Times, 
WiVkesbarre,  Pa. 

Like  all  of  Mr.  Bradley's  publications,  it  is  elegantly  got  up,  and  containing,  as  ifc 
does,  so  large  an  amount  of  matter,  538  pages,  exclusive  of  maps  and  engravings,  ia 
one  of  the  cheapest  books  ever  published  in  this  country.  We  strongly  urge  our  readejj 
io  send  for  it.  Price  %l.2o.—Pittston  Gazette,  Pa. 


LIST  OF  VALUABLE  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS.  2? 

INDIA  AND  THE  INDIAN  MUTINY.  Comprising  a  com- 
plete  History  of  Hindoostan,  from  the  earliest  times  to  the  pres- 
ent day,  with  full  particulars  of  the  recent  Mutiny  in  India. 
Illustrated  with  numerous  engravings.  By  Henry  Frederick  Mal- 
colm. This  work  has  been  gotten  up  with  great  care,  and  may  be 
relied  on  as  complete  and  accurate;  making  one  of  the  most  thril- 
lingly  interesting  books  published.  It  contains  illustrations  of  all 
the  great  battles  and  sieges,  making  a  large  12mo.  volume  of  about 
450  pages,  and  is  sold  at  the  low  price  of  $1.25. 

The  tragical  events  of  the  war  will  not  only  be  read  with  thrilling  interest,  but  the 
history  of  India  will  be  studied  by  all  classes.  The  work  before  us  is  well  calculated 
to  impart  the  knowledge  of  India  and  the  Eebellion,  which  is  sought  by  those  whose 
curiosity  has  been  excited,  as  it  gives,  in  one  volume,  a  popular  history  of  the  country 
at  different  epochs. — Rural  New  Yorker. 

This  work  appears  to  be  one  to  meet  the  demand  for  information  respecting  India  - 
U.  S.  Journal. 


THE  LADIES'  WOEK-TABLE  BOOK  Containing  clear  and 
practical  instructions  in  plain  and  fancy  needlework,  embroidery, 
knitting,  netting,  and  crochet.  With  numerous  engravings,  illus- 
trative of  the  various  stitches  in  those  useful  and  fashionable  em- 
ployments.   Price  $1.00. 


BOOK  OF  ANECDOTES  AND  BUDGET  OF  FUN.  Con- 

taining  a  collection  of  over  1000  of  the  most  laughable  sayings  and 
jokes  of  celebrated  wits  and  humorists.  Just  published.  336 
pages,  12mo.,  muslin.  $1.00. 


HIGHWAYMEN,  ROBBERS,  AND  BANDITTI,  of  all  coun- 

tries,  with  colored  and  other  engravings.  Contents — General  view 
of  Banditti  and  Robbers,  The  Robber  of  the  Abruzzi,  The  Brigands 
of  Calabria,  Francatripa,  Benincasa  and  others,  Scarollo,  The  Yar- 
darelli,  Don  Cico,  or  the  Priest  Robber,  Roman  Banditti,  Brigands 
of  Lombardy,  Neapolitan  and  Roman  Brigands,  Spanish  Brigands, 
The  Robber  King,  etc.,  etc.  Handsomely  bound  in  one  volume. 
Price  $1.00. 


HAMPTON  HEIGHTS ;  or,  The  Spinster's  Maid.  By  Caleb 
Starbuck.    450  pages.    12mo.    Price  $1.25. 

LIVES  AND  EXPLOITS  OF  THE  MOST  NOTED  BUCCA- 
NEERS AND  PIRATES  of  all  Countries.  Handsomely  illus- 
trated, containing  the  Buccaneers  of  America,. Robin  Hood,  Jack 
Bird,  Tom  Cox,  Tom  Jones,  Chinese  Pirates,  Colonel  Jack,  Claude 
Duval,  etc.,  etc.    One  volume,  cloth.    Price  $1.00. 

WHILE  IT  WAS  MORNING.    By  Yiiginia  F.  Townsend, 

editor  of  Arthur's  Magazine.    Price  $1.00. 

This  is  an  exceedingly  interesting  and  well-written  book.  We  have  rarely  met  • 
more  thoroughly  domestic  story.  It  is  very  much  in  the  style  of  Miss  Austin's  novels, 
pure  and  sweet  in  its  morals,  and  kindly  and  gentle  in  its  lesBons.—iT.  T.  Daily  Time* 


